Some confusion over dates, a tyre puncture on the way to Chichester, and assorted other causes or commitments somewhat limited the number of singers meeting for our March sing at the "Chichester.Inn". Nonetheless it was good to share the evening and some songs (chosen by request) with those able to be there.
Although he was having a busy week, Alan was there to advise and assist (thanks for this Alan) - and the first request was for one of his songs "Lammas Carol", not chosen by him but benefitting from his expert direction. "England For Me" was next, followed by "To Be a Farmers Boy" which has been rather neglected and not often sung by us. Alan spoke about "Bold Reynard", another song we haven't used. He noted that a dislike of fox hunting has deterred its use - although the song's narrative is actually about an old and unwell fox seeking his own death. A sad song either way… but an interesting perspective to maybe reconsider, and then adopt it after all.
With invitation and encouragement from the group, Julia and Nicola revisited for us their beautiful duet of a song (written by Julia) used at the Chichester Fringe event we did last summer - "The Holly King and the Oak King" - which was much appreciated. With a refreshment break incorporated at some point, the rest of the session continued with "Love and the Ball"; "Loyal Lover"; "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun" and "Fields Lie Silent". A look towards the return of spring cited at the end of the last of these prompted the next request, "It is the First of May".
Nearing the end of our session we went back to a song from our early South Downs Songs repertoire, "Old Adam", before a song added in the recent past,"The Rambling Comber" - and to conclude our mixed bag of choices, we managed the "Song of the Sussex Downsman" before heading our ways home.
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