Ten of us gathered on a beautiful warm dry evening at the John Harvey Tavern, including a returning singer Steve, from Henfield. As always Tina had prepared a list of possible songs to refresh and asked for favourites. We started the session with “Constant Lovers” and “Fathom the Bowl” before moving on to Alan’s beautiful tune for the poem “My Downland Remembered”. Angela played a recording of the lovely harmony Amaryllis has written to it and we agreed it would be good to learn.
Enjoying the summer weather, we moved on with “Rosebuds in June”, “Hal an Tow” (not a South Downs Song but a popular addition at this time of year) and “May Day Carol”. Next came “Our Captain Cried All Hands” (collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams) before we sang “Rolling in the Dew”!
After a break to re-fill our glasses we sang “It is the First of May” and “Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun” before returning to Alan’s setting of another poem, “Love and the Ball” about the Sussex game of stoolball. “Old Adam” came next and the poignant “They Won’t Let Us Go to Sea Anymore”.
During the break Tina updated everyone about the potential move to a different venue. We also discussed singing at the Stanmer Fete (in October), Jan’s Mum’s care home in Henfield, and the idea of celebrating our 10th anniversary with a picnic on Highdown Hill, which was greeted with enthusiasm.
We finished a happy evening with “East Sussex Drinking Song”, “Farmer’s Toast” and “Parting Song”. Another uplifting Tuesday sing.
Jan
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