We do our own thing

A dedicated follower of fashion? (Photo: Simon Meeds)

Last week's Dragon Folk Club session wasn't quite as populous as recent ones, but is was great to have Paul O join us on his third visit.

Remember that while next Friday's session (11th  Sept) will have no theme, the following week (18th Sept) will have the theme Harvest. I am sure you can think of at least one appropriate song for that. Our session on 18th September will also be associated with the  4th European Folk Day - #europeanfolkday.

Back to last Friday, Colin started us off with Hard Travelin' (roud 13926 - Woody Guthrie). Simon followed that with There but for fortune (Phil Ochs).

Paul O's first song of the evening was A pair of brown eyes (Shane MacGowan).

Bob gave us Sweet little Lisa (Hank DeVito, Donivan Cowart, Walter Cowart) and Sue completed the first rotation with Big Rock Candy Mountain (Harry McClintock (claimed)).

These were the songs new to the Dragon database on this occasion:

• Colin - The commuter's coronach (*# David Diamond)
• Paul O - The salt and pepper song (*# Paul O'Sullivan)
• Sue - Dedicated follower of fashion (* Ray Davies)
• Bob - You bring out the boogie in me (* Michael Franks)
• Paul O - The ice song (*# Paul O'Sullivan)
• Paul O - The pride of Petravore (*  roud 34408 - Percy French)
• Paul O - Dreamboat girl (* Paul O'Sullivan)

Colin was pleased to get the chance for once to close the session himself with When all men sing (Keith Scowcroft, Derek Gifford).

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

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

In the above report songs new to the Dragon database (though not always new to the club) are marked with an asterisk (*) and any songs not included in the "a selection" playlist are marked with a hash (#).

Announcing upcoming themes

Publicity shot of American singer Dolly Parton, 1977

It was another great turn-out at the Dragon Folk Club Session last week. We were very pleased to welcome Dragon first-timer Raf complete with his accordion. It was also great to welcome back Paula and Denny's non-performing friend Chris for her second annual visit.

The main pre-session business this week was to announce some special themes, so here is a calendar going up to Christmas. Remember that Fridays not mentioned are almost certainly sessions too, but without a theme:

• 18 Sept - Harvest (associated with the  4th European Folk Day - #europeanfolkday)
• 25 Sept - No theme (associated with the  4th European Folk Day - #europeanfolkday)
• 30 Oct - Halloween / Samhain / etc.
• 6 Nov - Bonfire Night / Guy Fawkes / fireworks / campfire songs
• 13 Nov - Remembrance / war / anti-war
• 27 Nov - St Andrew's Day / St Andrew / Scotland
• 18 Dec - Christmas / Yule / Hanukkah / etc.
• 25 Dec - No session
• 1 Jan - No session
• 8 Jan - New Year / Twelfth Night / etc.

Colin started the session off from the MC's chair with The son of a gambolier (roud 2964 - Charles Ives).

Simon referred to the recent death of Dolly Parton, singing her song Love is like a butterfly.

Rob recalled when his niece once asked him to tell her a story. He invited her to fetch a book, but she said she wanted him to tell a story "out of his head". He thought that slightly challenging, but then she said she wanted him to sing it. He couldn't manage that on the spot, but later came up with a song which he sang to us, singing it for the first time in ten years: Lia and the giant (*# Rob Winder).

Paul reprised Bold General Wolfe (roud 624), which he sang here for the first time the previous week. He seemed slightly disappointed that it hadn't been new to the Dragon database, but it wasn't because Derek had sung it here before.

Denny hoped the dog which Heather had with her, which she is temporarily looking after, wouldn't be bothered by Dido Bendigo (roud 584). The dog didn't bat an eyelid despite Rob's yelps as he joined in the chorus.

Hazel regaled us with a joke about the police. During the evening she brought forth another joke, this time about a school reception class.

Heather's first song of the evening was Sea of heartbreak (Paul Hampton, Hal David).

Steve arrived in time to finish the first rotation with The field behind the plow (Stan Rogers). This was the first of three Stan Rogers songs we heard.

Raf arrived just slightly too late to be included in the first rotation, but as a newcomer I will mention all of the songs and tunes he performed:

• Jock Stewart (roud 975)
• Mary Ellen Carter (Stan Rogers)
• The bloody fields of Flanders (* John McLellan) / The hut on Staffin island (* Phil Cunningham) / Calum's road (* Donald Shaw)

The remaining songs that were new to the Dragon database were:

• Paul - Turn ye seasons (*# Andy Barnes)
• Heather - You don't have to say you love me (* Pino Donaggio, Vito Pallavicini, Vicki Wickham, Simon Napier-Bell) - an English-language version of the 1965 Italian song Io che non vivo (senza te)
• Denny - Crossing the bar (* Alfred Lord Tennyson)

There was one so far unmentioned song that was not found on YouTube and is therefore not included in this week's playlist: Heather - They don't  play rock of ages on the juke box (# J Spencer).

It was Steve's turn to sing us out for the week, which he did with the second Cyril Tawney song of the evening: Sammy's Bar. 

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

(Number of people present - 10 of whom 9 performed)

In the above report songs new to the Dragon database (though not always new to the club) are marked with an asterisk (*) and any songs not included in the "a selection" playlist are marked with a hash (#).

A quick roundup

Empty bed (Photo: Simon Meeds)

Please pardon me if I keep this report of last week's Dragon Folk Club session a bit bare bones. It's no reflection on the quality of the session, but just because I'm running a bit behind this week.

Colin as MC started us off with Mobile Bay (roud 4696), recently collected from the singing of the Bristol Shantymen, of whom our previous MC, Mike Starkey, was a member.

Heather's first song was It is no secret what God can do (* Stuart Hamblen). Heather's friend Hazel doesn't sing, but she amused us with a joke about a pirate.

Simon was tempted to take a prompt from Hazel's joke, but had to change to another song instead: Johnny Todd (roud 1102).

Paul W ventured Bold General Wolfe (roud 624) and was followed by Denny with Moon names (# Charlotte Oliver).

Paul M sang Nantucket (Jonathan Michael Peter Darely, David Robinson, Robert James Alexander Sattin, Andrew Robert Yates).

Bob woke up with the Empty bed blues (J C Johnson) and Sue brought the first rotation to a close with Red River valley (roud 756).

Songs not already mentioned that were new to the Dragon database were:

• Heather - Seven lonely nights (* Earl Shuman, Alden Shuman, Marshall Brown)
• Paul W -  Cheap boat (* Jon Heslop)
• Denny - Winchester geese (*# Ann Reader) 
• Heather - Help me make it through the night (* Kris Kristofferson)
•  Sue - Beautiful Sunday (* Daniel Boone, Rod McQueen)
•  Colin - We sing out (* Pete Seeger)

Sue closed the session with Whistling Gypsy (roud 1, child 200).

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

(Number of people present - 9 of whom 9 performed)

In the above report songs new to the Dragon database (though not always new to the club) are marked with an asterisk (*) and any songs not included in the "a selection" playlist are marked with a hash (#).

Cornwall, Lincolnshire, Rome and elsewhere

Blue Hills Tin Mine, Trevallas, Cornwall (Photo: Simon Meeds)

Last week's Dragon Folk Club session was a little thinner on the ground than recently, but it gave us an opportunity not only for some less-sung songs, but also for a some chat on various topics. I'm sure the normal, quick-fire, song-dense session will be back on Friday.

Colin started us off from the MC's chair with Cousin Jack (Steve Knightley).

Roger's first song of the evening was one of his own and indeed one on which he is still working: In the trenches (*# Roger Stanleigh).

Simon completed the first rotation with John Sykes' The Lincolnshire song.

Colin sang The Roman gladiator (Bruce Campbell), Campbell, Groundsman at Wethered's Brewery in Marlow, wrote it with six verses in about 1940. Dave Houlden added two verses and another verse was written by Michael Paterson.

After that Simon suggested the only way he could follow it was with the Latin version of The hippopotamus song (Michael Flanders, Donald Swann, unknown) sung by Ian Wallace at his inauguration as Rector of St Andrews University.

This in turn led to a discussion of Latin and songs in the language. Colin made the mistake <smile> of mentioning that Simon had once sung his old school song, so that was unavoidably repeated: Floreat Bostona (# George Edwin Pattenden).

There was only one song not already mentioned that was new to the Dragon database, and that was Roger's own The ballad of Seamus and Rosie (*# Roger Stanleigh).

Other songs not found on YouTube, at least not in stand-alone videos, and therefore not included in this week's playlist were:

• Roger - Global meltdown (# Roger Stanleigh)
• Roger - I'm thinking of letting go (# Roger Stanleigh)
•  Colin - The bos'n, the gunner and me (# Tom Lewis)

Colin completed the evening with The drovers (Keith Marsden)

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

(Number of people present - 3 of whom 3 performed)

In the above report songs new to the Dragon database (though not always new to the club) are marked with an asterisk (*) and any songs not included in the "a selection" playlist are marked with a hash (#).

Natural Phenomena

Partial solar eclipse 15 December 1982 (Photo: Simon Meeds)

Last week's Dragon Folk Club session was the usual eclectic mix of songs, providing an entertaining evening. There were eight songs new to the Dragon database including some surprising previous omissions at least two of which had been sung here before, but before the days of the database.

Our MC, Colin, had been beaten to the venue by Stuart and Carrie, so they got the first slots, singing solo this time because Stuart's guitar was tuned to DADGAD. Stuart kicked us off with Waly Waly - The water is wide (* roud 18829) and Carrie followed with Country song (Jake Bugg).

Colin's first song was Cotton mill girls (* roud 11549), notably sung previously at the club by the late Betty McDonald (see the linked video).

Simon tried a new-to-him song in Halley came to Jackson (* Mary Chapin Carpenter). This was an attempt at an astronomical theme, thinking tenuously of the solar eclipse coming up on 12th August. The song is apparently biographical about the American writer Eudora Welty.

Bob gave us Blood red river (roud 15807) and Sue finished the first rotation with Love of the common people (John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins).

Songs not already mentioned and new to the Dragon database were:

• Stuart - East Virginia blues (* roud 3396)
• Colin - Sinking of the Reuben James (* Woody Guthrie)
• Stuart - Sandwood down to Kyle (* Dave Goulder)
• Colin - Blaydon Races (* roud 3511 - George Ridley)
• Colin - Prickly bush (* roud 144)

The job of closing the evening fell to Bob, which he fulfilled with White line fever (Merle Haggard).

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

(Number of people present - 6 of whom 6 performed)

In the above report songs new to the Dragon database (though not always new to the club) are marked with an asterisk (*) and any songs not included in the "a selection" playlist are marked with a hash (#).

Songs, readings and jokes

Three men walked into a bar... [they are not the folk club]
(Photo: Simon Meeds)

Last week's Dragon Folk Club session saw two visitors: Mark from Derbyshire returned a year after his first appearance, and Chris S, now from the Isle of Man, came along after an absence of six years. Chris, who usually sings with a shanty group, gave us a couple of songs but otherwise read the words of songs as poems, showing that pretty much anything goes as long as it's acoustic. In fact as if to drive the point home, regular non-performer Hazel was persuaded to tell us some of her jokes.

Colin, in the MC's seat, kicked us off with Cyril Tawney's That's what it's like in the navy (#). Apart from Hazel's jokes, which I won't enumerate, thre rest of the performances are all represented in the YouTube playlist linked from "a selection" below.

Mark gave us Don McLean's version of Mountains of Mourne (Percy French).

Heather reminded us of the work of the multi-talented Victoria Wood with her song Saturday night (*). 

Simon sang Tom Paine's bones (Graham Moore) and Chris S finished off the first rotation with The last shanty (Tom Lewis).

The remaining songs which were new to the Dragon database were:

• Colin - Life gets tee-just don't it (*  Carson Robison)
• Mark - It's a champion life (* Jez Lowe)
• Chris S - When the old dun cow caught fire (* roud 5323)
• Colin - John Henry (* roud 790)
• Mark - Tip o' Derwent (* Gerald Short)
• Chris S - It was a ship I saw (*) - an English translation of the Manx Gaelic She Lhong Honnick Mee
• Chris S - The gardens of Sampson and Beasley (* Thomas Lauderdale, China Forbes)
• Mark - American pie (* Don McLean)

In the end Mark was asked to finish the session which he did by singing John Tams' Cider with Rosie. 

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

(Number of people present - 6 of whom 6 performed)

In the above report songs new to the Dragon database (though not always new to the club) are marked with an asterisk (*) and any songs not included in the "a selection" playlist are marked with a hash (#).

Out of Africa

Plantation remains in Saint Lucia
(Photo: Simon Meeds)

At last week's Dragon Folk Club session we were delighted to welcome back Mel who last visited us over six years ago, and Habib who accompanied him on this visit. It was Habib's first experience of the club and we hope they will return.

Colin started us off with Navvy boots (* roud 516) and that led us into two songs which Stuart and Carrie performed together: Waiting around to die (Townes Van Zandt) and Hard times (* David Rawlings, Gillian Welch).

The first song of Mel's return to the club was When all men sing (Keith Scowcroft, Derek Gifford). Habib's debut song was a shanty which drew from his time living in Africa: Down the river of Gambia (*).

Simon completed the first rotation with Isabel makes love on national monuments (Jake Thackray).

As is usual, I must mention all the songs sung by newcomer Habib, to simply list them wouldn't do justice to how he presented them, hence a longer thank usual narrative.

He referred to the Sons of Africa, a group of freed African slaves in Britain who campaigned to end slavery towards the end of the 18th century. He took a poem entitled We are not putting down our pens (*#) and put it to a psalm tune, Truro. It certainly wasn't this rap entitled Sons of Africa from Horrible Histories, but that gives an idea of the subject matter.

His next song was another with a slavery-related theme being another poem set to music, Come all you hearts of oak (*#) which relates to the West Africa Squadron, a squadron of the Royal Navy whose goal was to suppress the Atlantic slave trade by patrolling the coast of West Africa. The squadron operated from 1808 to 1867.

Habib said he had recently seen the silent film version of The Student Prince. While it obviously didn't include the songs from the original operetta, it reminded him of one of those songs and he therefore gave us The drinking song (* Sigmund Romberg, Dorothy Donnelly).

His final offering was a self-penned poem, again set to music. Each year he writes a poem for his wife's birthday, and this one was entitled The quilter excellente (*# Habib).

The remaining songs new to the Dragon database were:

• Colin - Morning glory (* Guy Fletcher, Doug Flett)
• Stuart and Carrie - Empty trainload of sky (* David Rawlings, Gillian Welch)
• Colin - Brown girl in the ring (* roud 13195) - a Jamaican playground song long before Boney M. sang it or at least a version arranged by their producer and covert band member Frank Farian
• Mel - Captain Jack and the mermaid (* Meg Davis)
• Carrie - Child in time (* Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord, Ian Paice)

Having a longer journey home than most, Mel and Habib left with just three songs to go, the last of which for the evening was John O'Dreams (Bill Caddick, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky), sung by Simon.

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

(Number of people present - 6 of whom 6 performed)

In the above report songs new to the Dragon database (though not always new to the club) are marked with an asterisk (*) and any songs not included in the "a selection" playlist are marked with a hash (#).