There was a small gathering at the Chichester Inn this month - with holidays and other commitments keeping some singers away. Nonetheless there was plenty of sociable chat - and of course songs to sing. All songs were by request from within the group and layered between talk of song collectors, other musical events, ideas for future SDFS events and general reflections on the past year and the one to come.
The changing seasons inspired the first songs chosen - "Fields Lie Silent" (which prompted another customer in the pub, sitting nearby, to compliment us saying how the words and tune were very evocative of the season) - and then "Field Mouse Carol". Drawing back from as far ahead as Christmas, "All Among the Barley" reset the autumnal mood. A change of tack followed when we revisited a song Alan sang to us a while ago - his arrangement of "St George the Knight". This guest song has permission from its writer of the original, John Kirkpatrick, for us to sing it at sessions.
There was a brief conversation to review the plan to perform at the Chichester Fringe 2027 - the plan being to offer a programme centred on folk songs collected in the Chithurst area. Progress with preparations for this has been limited, and current circumstances continue to inhibit it, so it was agreed by all not to proceed with this project at this time - but it may be revived for another year. Nonetheless the work done so far has enabled us to become more competent with a few of the 'Chithurst songs', many of which are quite wordy with numerous verses, and we proved this by managing all of "Valiants All" without a pause. Back on more familiar ground we then sang the "Sussex Wedding Song" (aka "Come Write Me Down") - with men and women sharing the lines even though we were so few in number. A couple of fun songs brought us to a refreshment break - "Juicelem" in celebration of apples (to the tune of 'Jerusalem'), which prompted another humorous number, "Batter My Cod" (sung to the tune of 'Fathom the Bowl').
With glasses refilled conversation turned to discussing an idea Alan has of sometime doing a walk with songs - perhaps around Rusper village or at Leith Hill, where some well-known song collectors (the Broadwoods in the village and Ralph Vaughn-Williams at Leith House) resided. Alan will explore both options and report back, with spring or summer 2027 in mind. Lyn also suggested a new event for the SDFS, a pre-Christmas sing-out in Littlehampton to entertain folks at a cafe there. She too plans to get more details to feedback - and in due course Henny will share details with colleagues in all our local groups, and recruit singers to support these events if they go ahead. These chats took us nearer to the end of the evening - but we still had time for three more songs by request before concluding - "Three Drunken Maidens", more humour with "Harvest Moan" and fittingly to finish, the "Parting Song".
Thanks to all the loyal fellows present for this month's sing, and we look forward to other comrades returning for the next session at the 'Chichester Inn' in October.
H.
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