A "Revels" Reminder to All Our SDFSingers

Calling all South Downs Folk Singers due to attend our 'annual' social (long delayed by Covid) ..... 

Don't Forget - our "REVELS REVIVAL" will be happening tomorrow evening, and the fun begins at 7.30pm.   (Full details are in the invitation sent to all in January.) 

We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Chichester Local Group Report - Thursday March 16th 2023

Eleven folkies gathered at the Chichester Inn to resurrect some songs not sung for a while, delivered with much gusto thus clearing a few pub customers.  "'The Ebernoe Horn Fair"; "Ale Glorious Ale"; "Green Grows the Laurel" and "Follow me Home".  The "Bee Boys Song" was followed by number of songs appropriate for the coming of Spring, May and Summer - starting with "It is the First of May" and the "May Day Carol".  

Alan delivered a rendering of a possible Christmas song for next Christmas. Not the usual religious offering but more in the style of Music  Hall from 1905. "Where does Father Christmas Go to in the Summer Time".   There was a little confusion with "The Lark in the Morning" as the SDFS has two different sets of words to the same tune. One needs only to print both sets of lyrics from the Blog then either version can be sung as decided for the occasion. 

"The Oak Tree",  brought to the SDFS by Emily, was sung,  joining in a recording sung by the writer. The lyrics used were the originals from You Tube which were slightly different to those seen at the last Worthing session. The group preferred the original lyrics.  It was felt that the song, though having a beautiful melody, shouldn't be sung too slowly in order to avoid dirginess. 

A recording of a verse and a chorus of the song "Summer is A-coming in Again" that Dave G had brought to Chichester during the previous meeting was played.  Although the group found it a very easy song to join in and was much liked, it was decided to wait until a version was on the Blog with the lyrics before going further.

Singing continued by request - "Ladies Go Dancing"; "When Spring Comes In"; "Turtle Dove"; "Loyal Lover" and "Pleasant and Delightful".  Until, to make a change from 'The Parting Song' "Rolling Home" was delivered in fine voice to end the evening.

SDFS Events Programme for 2023

As 2023 marches on we have our Events Organiser John to thank for preparing a provisional programme of interesting events for us to sing at this year - all the details so far are now listed on the "Diary Dates" page of this Blog. 

More events may be added as the year unfolds, and there are details still to be confirmed, but with thanks also to the event hosts who have invited us, we can look forward to another enjoyable year of visits and singing around Sussex.  

Have a look at the "Diary Dates" page, join us at any of our regular local group sessions - or just come along to see us at any or all of the events if you can!

A song to Try - 'The Oak Song'

Here are the lyrics and sound tracks of a song written by local writer Anna Richardson, offered by Emily for us to try - 'The Oak Song'.  

Lyrics

Chorus Melody

Chorus High Part

Chorus Low Part

Chorus Melody followed by Verse

Worthing Local Group Report - Thursday March 2nd 2023

We were missing a few familiar faces this month but still a good crowd gathered for our session. We began with some notices, including brief discussion of the SDFS public events proposed for this year - with many thanks again to John for his efforts in exploring and arranging these. (More details will be on this Blog's Diary Dates Page soon.)  

Our singing started with “Pleasant and Delightful” and “One For the Rook”.  Then, prompted by the problems reported from the Chichester group when it was revived at their last session, Emily led us through “The Cuckoo”, first learned by some of us in our original song workshops 10 years ago!  A gentle but rather sad song - for which Emily has created an extra more cheerful verse which was welcomed (and will probably get added to the "Other Songs to Try" page for general consideration).  We then sang Alan’s lovely song “My Downland Remembered” before returning to “The Oak” which Emily had introduced us to last month. We enjoyed the chorus again and ventured into learning the verses (these will also be added to the Other Songs to Try page soon).

After a break and some more notices of interest, we tackled “Lark in the Morning", using the Copper's version of the lyrics - after taking into account the SDFS edits here and there!  (This is already on the Other Songs to Try page and will probably be added to our Main Songs page soon, as an option alongside the original version we adopted.)  On this chilly March evening the seasons ahead were cited in the round “Summer’s Near” (also known as “Rambling Rolling Downs in Spring”), new to some so taught again by Emily, and Alan who created it.  It sounded lovely in two parts.  Last but not least we closed with the “Parting Song”.

We will be back at the Barn for our next open group session on Thursday April 6th - and before then for our SDFS private social event, our "Revels", later this month.  If you sing with any of our local groups and you would like to attend but haven't yet got a ticket, please let us know (by the SDFS email) and we’ll send you more details.