A very respectable eighteen singers came along on an unseasonably warm February evening to acknowledge recent Valentine’s Day and start to prepare for the upcoming SDFS Spring/Summer season. It was also good to be able to welcome two new potential members who came along to “try us out!”
"Country Life" was an appropriately rousing opening (to the accompaniment of a determined stamp by Alan to keep at pace. This "The Bee Boys Song" followed– known well but extra care required to hit the high note in the middle. "Summer Is a Coming In Again" came next, with two new verses provided by Alan at the request of the Worthing Group and to some extent the Lewes group, who found the original last two verses a little too war-like for today’s difficult times. There was some discussion about whether this should be done and whether or not Mick Ryan, the Author, needed to be consulted. By way of a complete contrast, Julia presented and sang a new Christmas song that she had written and her singing teacher had set to music – The Holly King and the Oak King with a interesting minor note ending to reflect Winter’s arrival. The evening could not pass without a nod to yesterday’s Valentine’s Day, "The Sussex Wedding Song" followed and was successfully split into men/women groups in view of the healthy number of attendees. The relatively new offering of "Come Stranger Come Friend" was tried next. Not everyone knew it but joined in as it progressed. It was maybe one for the future. There was much amusement and discussion about the very traditional local sport of stoolball around the singing of "Love and the Ball". This including some useful background on particular prizes – a Tansy Cake that might have been presented to the winners. This could contribute to an interesting introduction when singing out. A rousing rendition of "Drink Old England Dry" followed, with discussion about a “double ending” or not - to be taken up at Worthing. The first half concluded with "The Oak Tree Song" and some discussion about “Scottish snaps”!
The second half opened with "Follow Me Home" by popular request, sung by all - usually sung by men only. At the start, Dave G reminded everyone by singing a few lines of the tune. "Hannaker Mill" came next with a possible modern verse added by Alan which no doubt would not be acceptable to the esteemed Belloc! The ladies took the lead in "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun" and "The Constant Lover" was sung by all with some discussion about the content. Staying with the Spring theme, "It Is the First of May" followed which may have caused some confusion amongst casual listeners in the bar! To round the off the session, there was a hearty rendition of "Rolling Home" a very popular finish to the evening.
Anne S
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