The usual varied selection

Today's news is tomorrow's chip paper (Photo: Simon Meeds)

Your usual scribe wasn't present at last week's Dragon Folk Club session so apologies for any inaccuracies or inconsistencies.

I will give a slightly early warning of one of the Dragon Folk Club's rare Friday absences from The Bridge. Due to a clash with another event we won't be able to hold our previously publicised Halloween session on 30th October. Don't despair though, some of us will be decamping to the nearby Pucklechurch Open Mic for one night only. Last time we went there we received a very warm welcome and had a great evening, so feel free to join us there. It starts at 8pm and can be found at Pucklechurch Village Sports and Social Club (PVSSC), St Aldam's Drive, Pucklechurch, BS16 9QQ.

As expected, MC Colin was a little late arriving at last week's Dragon session so it started without him. Specifically, Paul kicked off with Waking dreams (roud 22620). Waking dreams is a version of Awake, awake collected from Marina Russell of Weymouth in 1907 by Henry Hammond.

Denny's first song was Prospect, Providence (Keith Marsden). This song is about the joy of looking forward to an easier life in retirement after working in the mill. Six of about forty woollen mills in Morley, West Yorkshire are named in the chorus: Prospect, Providence, Perseverance, Albert, Valley and Crank.

Ray completed the first rotation with Make you feel my love (Bob Dylan).

When Colin arrived it was the third rotation and he opened his account with his own song about the COVID-19 pandemic: Epitaph (*# Colin Owen).

Other songs new to the Dragon database were:

• Ray - Wonderful tonight (* Eric Clapton)
• Ray - This Boy (* Lennon-McCartney)
• Colin - Ramblin' boy (* Donovan Leitch) not to be confused with the Tom Paxton song of the same name

There was just one further song not so far mentioned that was not found on YouTube and are therefore not included in the linked playlist and that was Colin singing Tinker, tailor (# Tom Lewis).

Before closing I will mention one more song sung by Denny earlier in the evening because it gives me the excuse to repeat a previously featured image. That is Three score and ten, written by fisherman William Delf as a poem, sold on a broadsheet to raise money for the widows and orphans of the great storm on the East Coast of England in February 1889.

It also fell to Denny to finish off the evening with The yellow handkerchief (roud 954).

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

(Number of people present - 4 of whom 4 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 (#).

Mostly mines and railways

Teeside Transport Bridge (Photos by Helen Pitt)

Last week's Dragon Folk Club session had no official theme, but it turned out to be largely about mining, railways and other things industrial.

Two of our number were slightly late because of traffic difficulties, so we fitted them in in a way that meant we all sang the same number of songs, hence the slightly different way of presenting the start of the evening here.

One important piece of information: there is a possibility that this week's session (Friday, 9th October) may start a little late. If you turn up and find the usual room MC-less, please get a drink and make yourself at home; someone will turn up to lead the evening in due course.

Back to last week, Colin started off from the MC's chair with The saucy Arethusa (roud 12675 - Prince Hoare (attrib), Tune: Turlough O'Carolan) and Simon continued with The transplant squad (Richard Stilgoe).

In the absence of anyone else to continue, it went back to Colin singing Drunken sailor (roud 322) and Simon followed that with Drill ye tarriers drill (roud 4401 - Thomas Casey, Charles Connolly).

At this point Paul and Denny made their entrance, freed from traffic purgatory. Not only did they agree to sing immediately, but they agreed to sing twice in quick succession. Paul started with My lady of autumn (Dave Webber) followed by Denny with Denny with Teeside bridges (Erik Gooding). Then with Paul singing Peggy Gordon (roud 2280) and Denny Coal hole cavalry (Ted Edwards) the opening double rotation was complete.

Performances new to the Dragon database were:

• Colin - All along the South coast (poem by Jeremy Taylor)
• Simon - Grand Dad's cracket (poem by Tom Mossman)
• Denny - Ware out mother (roud 2551 - Traditional, Charley Yarwood, Tom Brown)

There was just one song sung that was not found on YouTube and is therefore not included in the playlist linked below and that was sung by Denny: King of the railways (Roy Duffield).

It also fell to Denny to finish off the evening, which she did with The miner's lifeguard (roud 3510).

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

(Number of people present - 4 of whom 4 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 (#).

European Folk Day affiliation take 2

Centre Pompidou, Paris, under scaffolding in 2026
(Photo: Simon Meeds)

As I mentioned on last week's Dragon Folk Club blog, we had affiliated with European Folk Day. Since the actual day fell on 23rd September, between two of our sessions, we had also affiliated last weeks' session with it and so some of us continued to echo aspects of Europe in song.

Colin started off the session from the MC's chair in a Dutch tone by singing Skipper Jan Rebeck. Simon was initially concerned that many of his "European" songs were about war (later to be refuted) so he started tentatively with a song which at least on the surface could be said at a pinch to paint Italy in a positive light: D-Day dodgers (roud 10499 - Lance-Sergeant Harry Pynn, Norbert Schultze).

Paul and Denny, absent from the previous week's Harvest-themed session, straddled the two themes. Paul sang The farmer's toast (roud 1603) and Denny followed that with Half past eleven square (Cicely Fox Smith).

Ray finished off the first rotation with No man's land (* Eric Bogle) though Ray called it by one of its other names: The green fields of France.

Colin started the second rotation with a song which deserves a mention since it is older than anyone present expected. Football Crazy, popularized by Robin Hall and Jimmie Macgregor in 1960 (that's already older than we discussed) was written as The Dooley Fitba' Club by James Curran in the 1880s. Ewan MacColl included a version of "Fitba' Crazy" in a collection of songs called Scotland sings published in 1953. The original 1880s song is understood to be the first mention in song of association football.

Apart from the one already mentioned (No man's land) there were just two more songs sung that were new to the Dragon database:

• Ray - Edelweiss (*  Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II)
• Simon - Amsterdam (* Jacques Brel)

There was one song not found on YouTube and therefore not included in this week's playlist. It was Denny's singing of Winchester geese (#) by Ann Reader. The song is about prostitutes who worked in the Liberty of the Clink area of Southwark, across the Thames from the City of London, an area owned by the Bishop of Winchester who licensed them to ply their trade. When they died, often of sexually transmitted diseases, they were not buried on sacred ground but in the Cross Bones burial ground.

It was also Denny who sang the last song of the evening which was Good English Ale (roud 1512).

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 (#).

Harvest 2026

(Photo: Simon Meeds)

Last week's Dragon Folk Club session had a Harvest theme, and was also associated with European Folk Day, with is today as I write (23rd September). This provided a secondary theme of Europe. Just a reminder for anyone who thinks this is political... Europe is a geographical continent. Our next session, this Friday (25th September) will also be so associated in case you can think of anything appropriate, but there is no official theme.

We managed some songs on a harvest theme and also some with European connotations.

Indeed Colin, from the MC's chair, started us off with an entirely European version of Everybody loves Saturday night.

Simon attempted to go for harvest with Country life (roud 1752) and Rob moved into Europe, specifically France, with Adieu les filles (*), a folk song from the Morvan region to the West of Dijon.

Bob went upbeat if not actually cheerful with My girl Josephine (Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew) and Sue invoked the Love of the common people (John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins).

It was great to see and hear Ray again and he completed the first rotation with My rifle, my pony and me (* Dimitri Tiomkin, Paul Francis Webster).

Other songs new last week to the Dragon database were:

• Rob - Me and my uncle (* John Phillips)
• Ray - Words - (* Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb)
• Rob - Christmas card from a hooker in Minneapolis (* Tom Waits)
• Ray - Sit down (* Jim Glennie, Larry Gott, Tim Booth, Gavan Whelan)
• Bob - Blues leave me alone (* James Lane)
• Ray - The air that I breathe (*  Albert Hammond, Mike Hazelwood)

There was one song not found on YouTube and therefore not in the linked playlist and this was sung by Colin: All the good things (Bonny Sartin) which is a version of the more easily found All the good times (Bob Pegg).

Sue finished off the evening in a very positive mood with Don't worry, be happy (* Bobby McFerrin). 

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 (#).

Ireland, Canada and elsewhere

Lock 7 on the Welland Canal between Lakes Erie and Ontario
(Photo: Simon Meeds)

Your scribe wasn't at the Dragon Folk Club session in person last week so this report is done at some distance, so apologies for any inaccuracies - I hope I've done my best. Considering that several regulars were otherwise engaged it looks as though it was a good evening.

Colin was joined by regular Paul M and his non-performing friend Jane together with our recently acquired friend Paul O and his daughter Issie, who plays guitar in a metal band but wasn't persuaded to contribute on this occasion.

There's one important bit of news to get out of the way for a start. My reports usually say that "You will find us this and almost every Friday...", but there are occasions when that is not possible for one reason or another. I've already announced our Christmas/New Year closure on 25th December 2026 and 1st January 2027, but our Halloween session on 30th October has also been called into question. It may yet happen, either at The Bridge or elsewhere, or it may be cancelled. There are discussions yet to take place, so please watch this space for further details when they become available.

Back to last week, Colin in the MC's chair started the session with Hey Mr tambourine man (Bob Dylan). Paul M followed up with Danny boy (roud 23565 - Frederic Weatherly) and Paul O completed the first rotation with Spancil Hill (roud 22062 - Michael Considine).

Last week's songs which were new to the Dragon database were:

• Colin - Votecatcher in the rye (*# Peggy Seeger) - a satirical comment on Ronald Reagan's visit to Ireland
• Paul O - Missing you (* Jimmy MacCarthy)
• Colin - Jennifer juniper (* Donovan Leitch)
• Paul O - Dirty protesters (*# Paul O'Sullivan)
• Paul O - Summer in the Midlands (*# Paul O'Sullivan)

One other song wasn't found on YouTube and therefore is not in this week's playlist: Paul O - Love in the desert (Paul O'Sullivan).

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

(Number of people present - 5 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 (#).

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 (#).