With songs suggested by both Alan and Amaryllis and Emily's leadership when singing them, we enjoyed a dozen songs from our SDFS repertoire old and new. The sociable mood was set by "Ale Glorious Ale" to start, followed by an old favourite from our songs original project days "Come Write Me Down" (aka the "Sussex Wedding Song") with men's and women's voices in the conversation.
The Spring season and approach of May was then celebrated in song by "Hal an Tow", "It is the First of May", "When Spring Comes In" and the "May Day Carol". A rural theme continued with "Searching for Lambs" and "Brisk Young Ploughboy". "Birds on the Spray" was next on the list, but few singers were familiar with it and so on this occasion preference was given to other options, with agreement to come back to it at a future session. So we moved on with "Hares on the Mountain", another song shared between men and women' voices in a teasing conversation.
A break gave time for chat and refreshment - and reminders about coming events, our social gathering at the Barn on April 11th, and an invitation to join with others in reviving the "Stork Song" at this year's Stork Fair in Storrington on June 23rd.
"Riding on a Donkey" opened our second half - a song revised with new verses by Alan specifically for use at an event we attended at East Clayton Farm (where donkeys and donkey walks feature ). It has since become a favourite and has a seasonal reference in it alluding to the donkey's role in Palm Sunday. "Rambling Comber" followed with harmonies revived to enhance it - and finally, from various choices still on the proposed list but with time running out, "Turtle Dove" was agreed to and sung as our last song of the evening.
Our next Worthing SDFS group session will be on May 7th - BUT - watch this space, because May 7th is now also a local election day and the Barn may be in use as a poling station. We will confirm an alternative venue as soon as known - this may be the church next door, which has kindly been made available to us in the past - but this is yet to be confirmed..
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