I woke up on a May morning...

The Bristol Shantymen
including our own Mike and occasional visitor, John

I don't think there was an official theme this week, but quite a few people had at least one offering relating to May. Mike opened the evening with Hal an Tow.

Hal-an-tow

Jolly-rum-ba-low

We were up

long before the day-o

To welcome in the summer

To welcome in the May-O

Summer is a coming in

and winter's gone away

Derek referred to a conversation some weeks ago with Simon (which Simon doesn't remember) about the idiosyncrasies of Suffolk folk clubs, saying he had to sing a particular song, which was one he wrote himself about Badwell Ash (Badwell being pronounced with a long "a" sound). According to Derek's song, people in the village wait around for the bus because there's not much else to do.

Phil read a poem he had written himself which spoke of his anti-royalist tendencies.

Mike announced that he won't be at the club next week because he will be singing with the Bristol Shantymen at Mendip Fest. His absence next week meant that this was his best opportunity to sing Bonny Black Hare, which mentions 14 May. It's suggestive lyrics started a sub-theme for the evening.

Steve sang the song Love Me Tender, which was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1956, and was from a film also called Love Me Tender. This raised some chuckles and some groans from the audience, not because of Steve's performance but because some people felt the song and film were not that great. Steve defended himself by explaining that, like me, he is just starting guitar lessons in a attempt to improve his performances. Steve's lessons will see him practising this among other songs. He suggested that his performance this evening should be considered an example of "before" and can be compared with the results after he has had some lessons.

Alan took a slightly different approach to May by singing a song about winter in Australia, which is approaching. The song, actually about July, is John Williamson's Cootamundra Wattle.

Rose brought her Bouzouki out of retirement to give us a rendition of Dougie MacLean's Ready for the Storm and yes, we all sang along to the chorus.

Alan K sang Joni Mitchell's Woodstock, apparently this had something to do with Richard being a hippy. Richard's wife, Lesley, seemed surprised at this, and Richard explained that there weren't really hippies where he grew up.

I think Alan was exercising wishful thinking when singing Richard Digance's Pub Joke Song. Its lyrics tell of the man behind the bar selling beer and other products unbelievably cheaply. I won't tell you the punchline but it turns out he's not the landlord.

Simon dared to follow the sub-theme of risqué songs with Big Bamboo.  And the ridiculous was followed by Alan K's sublime You Belong to Me, written by Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, and Redd Stewart.

Mike closed proceedings with Roll the Cotton Down.

So, next week's session will be MCed by Richard. See you then.