Summer holidays and other distractions slightly reduced our number at the Barn for our August sing. Welcomes done and notices given, we launched as we often do with “ Country Life”, before discussing and trying various other songs suggested for the pleasure of them and also in preparation for a couple of forthcoming events - the Amberley Museum Ale and Craft event on August 28th, and in October a Harvest Supper evening in Fittleworth.
We continued with “All Among the Barley”, followed by the “Lammas Carol” with particular attention given to ensure the correct sequence of rise and fall in the tune. “Farmer’s Toast” came next, with encouragement from Emily to be mindful of the words as we sing, to fully express the mood and context of the occasion described. Next the beautiful new song we’ve been working on, “The Oak Tree”, took some time - to learn the tune of the verses and also the high and low harmonies. There was some discussion about shortening the length of the song for performance events - by using the chorus at the start then after only the second and fourth verses - and finishing the song with the strong image, and sound, of the last verse. (Still under debate - and needs consultation with our fellow grousp east and west.)
After the break “Gooches Beer’ got us singing again, before considering "Michaelmas" - but as few had the words to this or knew the song (written by Amaryllis and used for a seasonal event last year), we moved on to an older 'trad' song, the “Brisk Young Ploughboy” instead. “Ale Glorious Ale” resumed the drinking theme, before Amaryllis’ revised words for a more rural celebration of Sussex were used for “Sussex by the Sea”. Then back to another couple of drinking songs - the first, “Fathom the Bowl”, before Emily taught and led us through “Banbury Ale”, a round, in 2 then 3 parts. (All agreed the 3 parts worked well and would be worth a try if there are enough voices available at Amberley on the 28th.) In softer tones we closed the evening with “My Downland Remembered" now including the additional last but one verse our Alan has added to his song.
Another enjoyable evening of song and good company - thanks to Emily and all. See you at the Amberley event on Monday August 28th and or at the Barn again on Septemvber 7th.
(P.S. - For singers keen for more sessions (of song, and maybe beer as well) during August - our Lewes group will be meeting again at their new venue on Tuesday August 15th - but sadly there will be NO Chichester group session this month (they will resume in September).
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