The new normal?

Liverpool's Three Graces
(Photo: Simon Meeds)

Last week's session was back at The Bridge with new, possibly temporary management. They seemed like reasonable guys and they were happy for us to be in our usual room. We were relatively small in number, but some decent songs were sung, and we were joined by newcomer Stan who some of us knew from other sessions.

Colin, MC as usual, started the evening with The sheep are 'neath the snow, a traditional Manx song - Ny Kirree Fo Niaghtey in Manx.

Stan sang a song made famous by Scott Walker, and written by Tony Macaulay and Geoff Stephens: Lights of Cincinatti. Like Stan's Denny's first song was new to the Dragon database (though not necessarily new to the club): Pretty Saro (roud 417).

Paul gave us Dave Webber's Bonnet and Shawl.

Simon followed Colin's lead in a way by singing The Ellan Vannin Tragedy (Hughie Jones) about the Isle of Man ferry named after the island in Manx which sank in 1909.

I'll continue as has become tradition, mentioning mainly songs sung by newcomer Stan and songs not already in the Dragon database.

Stan perhaps recalled the Ellan Vannin when singing The leaving of Liverpool (roud 9435), yet Denny kept us in that city with The ballad of Seth Davy (Glyn Hughes).

Paul took us into the London sewers with Sydney Carter's Down below (roud V53400). This song was apparently sung by Stanley Holloway, who was of course famous for reciting monologues written by Marriott Edgar, such as The recumbent posture, which Simon gave us to follow Paul.

Stan gave us two songs by Pete St John: The fields of Athenry and The rare ould times.

Denny turned to Gospel by singing Blessed quietness (Manie Payne Ferguson).

Paul amused us with Jon Heslop's Dead knight behind the hedge, a mashup of Twa corbies (roud 5, child 26) and The knight on the road (roud 20, child 3). This one isn't in the YouTube playlist linked from "a selection" below.

Colin's The saucy Arabella (roud 8343) was noted as having similarities to The Rosabella (roud 21134).

Stan sang Kris Kristofferson's I'd rather be sorry.

Denny set me a challenge which I'm afraid I haven't been able to fulfil. Her song Wayhill Fair comes from a tape she has of The South Bank Grunters. It seems to be related to Weyhill Fair (roud 1086), but isn't so much about horses at the fair.

Stan sang Ralph McTell's From Clare to here. Stan told us that McTell wrote the song inspired by an Irish builder, and that he could relate to it having often worked with Irish builders on sites in various locations.

Paul proudly sang his parody of Close the coalhouse door (Alex Glasgow) which he calls Close the dentist's door having written it while waiting for Denny to have root canal work done. His pride was because he sang it for a parody competition at the 2023 Sidmouth Folk Festival's Middle Bar. He left the event understanding that he had come second, but later heard that after a recount he had been declared the winner.

Colin gave us The Cotswolds, written by Mick "Shag" Connors.

Stan's last song of the evening was Massachusetts, written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb - the Bee Gees. This takes us back to the beginning of the evening with an Isle of Man connection for the Gibb brothers were born on the island.

Paul rounded off the evening with Dave Webber's Parting song.

Now listen to a selection of songs sung during this session.

(Number of people present - 5 of whom 5 performed)