Topical songs

Bob Dylan

Three unofficial, topical themes emerged through the evening this week.

In memory of Drummer Lee Rigby, who was killed in Woolwich this week, Pat sang The trooper cut down in his prime. There seemed to me to be echoes, intentional or otherwise, of the same theme in Dave's "Mother get up and bar the door".

Derek picked as his theme the recent reports that the strain of potato blight that caused the Irish famine has been identified. He went on to sing The praties they grow small and later "Eileen O'Connor" (also called "The Irish Exile").

Keith G brought his friend Ashley, who lives in Cornwall,. Keith sang Classic IV's Spooky, while playing Steve G's guitar with Ashley playing mandolin. Later, Ashley pointed out that it was Bob Dylan's 72nd birthday and sang a verse of The times they are a changin' before going into Hard hearted Hannah. Steve G picked up the Bob Dylan theme, singing You're gonna make me lonesome when you go.

The session was the best attended for some time with occasional regulars, Pat and Keith H, Keith G (with friend Ashley), Dave and Pauline, Rose and Betty all adding to the mix. An excellent evening overall!