The great thing about singing worksongs on a chain gang and lullabies to - the baby and the guy with a whip won't hold it against you if you forget the words. Like I would.

Stuff like shanties - that's definitely a skill.

anyway it speaks for itself. Roy Harris used to do a decent gig unaccompanied. tommy dempsey also - although he could run out of steam. Its not everyone who can do it. I always felt that bob Davenport used to tense up - because he felt he was asking a lot of the audience.

I prefer accompanied songs. Its llike an aide de memoire - it reminds them what key they are in - even really good singers slip out of key without accompaniment.

the idea that there were these communities all singin like buggery - it a bit like the vision behind that ghastly welsh tv programme Land of Song in the 1950's. someone would have told them to shut up occasionally.