Pronouncements about "absurd officiousness" and exaggerated examples of 180-verse songs may bring an unappreciated conversation to a standstill, but they do nothing to truly illustrate a need for the book at public performances. And it doesn't show an understanding of why people object to it.

If you're going to perform in public, then be prepared, and understand that there are those who don't appreciate watching the top of someone's head as they read the words from the page of a book when they're supposedly "performing." Eye contact and a spontaneous performance are desirable. To perform, you need to know what you're doing, which means the words need to be yours, they're internally lodged and understood, and they spring to life when you perform. If you're not confident about leading the song, then take the book and sing along in the background.

This observation of mine is based upon the understanding that any kind of public performance, spoken or sung, is going to work best if you already know what you want to sing or say.

SRS