'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: DonMeixner
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 10:47 PM

Appro pos of nothing,


   I sang a wedding today myself. Nothing anyone ever heard before. But it was well received and I enjoyed the gig. I'd have done it for free because these kids are friends of my kids. But they paid me $ 50.00 and said pick something you like that will have meaning for us. Not being a catholic bunch and having no communion, that left "Johnny Jump Up" off the list. I chose an old waltz instead.
   Everyone was pleased. But the reception was a DJ and they played the "Chicken Dance" and "WMCA". I felt like I was in wedding reception hell. But then they played a private party mix which included their favorite cuts off my bands two CDs. Perhaps there is hope after all.

Don


And "The Voyage" is still very awful.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Peace
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 06:41 PM

Regarding singing crap at the behest of people: I would think everyone who posted here sand Happy Birthday at one time or other. It is friggin' awful. But, we all likely sing it a few times a year.

Singing the Horst Wessel song would be whoring oneself. Singing "The Vovage", the lyrics of which leave a bit to be desired, is not whoring oneself. It is making a living, IMO.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 11:07 AM

"Where once we watched the small songbirds fry"

I am SOOO keeping that!

LOL

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Maryrrf
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 10:23 AM

Heh heh - No they weren't 'Catters!

I've decided the universe is teaching me a lesson in humility. When I got there they showed me the program. At the beginning of the second set, I was to perform "The Voyage" while all the married couples (there were over 200 guests) danced. The DJ would then little by little weed them out according to how long each couple had been married, leaving the bride and groom to dance to a verse or two of "The Voyage" at the end. So....I took a deep breath and sang "The Voyage" ad infinitum till finally all the couples had left the floor, then continued while the bride and groom waltzed. I didn't count how many times I repeated it but it was a lot. The whole thing struck me as hilarious - a practical joke played on me by the powers that be!

I think ya gotta keep a sense of humor and put things in perspective. Part of performing is making people happy and everybody obviously enjoyed that dance (even me, because by that time I was inwardly chuckling). Oh as an added note of comic relief I somehow screwed up the lyrics to "Fields of Athenry" (another request) and instead of singing "Where once we watched the small freebirds fly" I accidentally sang "Where once we watched the small songbirds fry". I just kept right on singing and I don't think anybody noticed.

Good to hear from you, Dickmac. Yes I had heard the Irvine Folk Club had moved and that the new location was working out well. I am so wanting to go back to Scotland and trying to figure how to stretch out my meager vacation allotment to squeeze in some music. I probably won't try to book any performances this time, I'll just go to listen and enjoy. I'd like to get over and see if I can manage to catch Both Sides of the Tweed and the Pencuit Festivals but it depends on that four letter word that pays the bills - "work".

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Dickmac
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 07:47 AM

Mary, Hope they're not Catters. Sing,smile and think "fee".
By the way I like The Voyage.

Greetings from Irvine Folk Club.
Did you know we had moved to the Golf Hotel in January?
Attendances have been good at the new venue and long may it continue.
Hope you will manage to arrange a return visit.
Take care
Dick

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: UB Ed
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 01:50 PM

Break a leg, Mary.

Ed

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Maryrrf
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 12:51 PM

Well, as a matter of fact I'm headed off to sing at a wedding reception tonight and they've requested "The Voyage". You know what, I'm going to go ahead and do it cheerfully. What the heck, it's their event, they want to hear it and it will only take me a couple of minutes to sing it. I will even manage to sound fairly sincere. God bless them, if they really keep believing that sentimental drivel maybe it WILL get them through the rough times!

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: GUEST,George
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 10:44 AM

Hey, Maryrrf, that's all-too-rare self-knowledge admitting that your own efforts were crap (which makes me suspect they're probably not as bad as you suggest) - there are many all-too-well-known performers who could learn something from that. In fact, I do hate this idea that writing songs somehow sharpens your critical faculties - my experience is that far more often it has the opposite effect . . .

Of course anyone who's booked for a wedding (or for any 'gig' for that matter, but I'm sure you know what I mean about weddings being special) wants to 'deliver' what the Bride and Groom are looking for - on the other hand I reckon, no matter how hard you try, you'll make a far more effective job of delivering a song with which you have a lot of sympathy than you will with one where you have to grit your teeth to tackle it (and it's pretty hard singing through gritted teeth).

Personally, I'm with McGrath and "The Wedding Song" - great favourite of ours. However we can only claim 35 years so far . . .


G.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 10:05 AM

If you know it well - and presumably like ie it - just do it and enjoy! If you don't know it, give it a ten mile berth. I've attempted to do songs I don't really know - in order to accomodate a request/patron and made a complete idiot of myself. But I've never made the mistake of performing something I don't like or know.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: GUEST,divilthebit
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 04:59 AM

Yes it is f~~king dross. Be professional they say..my arse just make your excuses and sing something else!!

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: MARINER
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 04:52 AM

The words "written by Johnny Duhan" says it all. While I'm sure he's written a happy song, somewhere along the line, I've yet to hear it.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Maryrrf
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 09:02 AM

Well, Murray, thanks for the kind words but upon reflection I guess it is presumptuous to ask "How can anybody like this song?" People's tastes are different and accounts for the infinite variety of songs out there. Twice in the last couple of months I've been to see singer-songwriters who billed themselves as "folk" who made comments to the effect that they hoped nobody confused them with the "folk" singers who did stuff that had "Tooraya" and "Faladiddle Da" etc. Heck, I can't even count how many songs like that I have in my repertoire. And there have been songs I didn't like, learned for request, and then came to appreciate. One example is "The Rose of Tralee". After I learned the story behind it I really began to enjoy singing the song.

And Guest - as a matter of fact I have written songs, mostly when I was much younger. They are crap and I know they are crap, and I wouldn't dream of singing them in public much less requesting that somebody else sing them!

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: s6k
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 09:02 AM

i love the song, if its the christy moore one you mean. (written by johnny duhan)

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 06:39 AM

To the ill-mannered GUEST who signed his alcoholically fuelled outburst JB, I have seen Mary perform on several occasions, am familiar wirh her repertoire and I can state categorically that she is a damned sight more qualified than most to judge the merit of any particular song.

I would also guess that she could spell "eunuchs" correctly ...

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: The Shambles
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 03:06 AM

Unwelcome requests can be dealt with by agreeing before or early in the performance to do the request later, without any quibble. The requestee, especially at weddings, will go happily go off and get very very drunk. Later in the evening they will more than likely ask again and you again happily agree to perform it later.

With luck you can get through the whole set as planned without upsetting anyone (or playing the request) and it is more than likely that the even more happy requestee will come up to you at the end, to give you a big cuddle and thank you for playing their request.

There is more than one way to avoid plucking a 'turkey'.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 09:37 PM

To respond to the question, "HOw can anybody like this song?"

Perhaps they like the melody, or they like an entertainer who recorded it, or it reminds them of happy times. Perhaps the accompaniment to it soothes them or causes delight.

We can have reactions to a song based on things other than the melody and the lyrics.

Granted, it seems like a pretty sappy number.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: DonMeixner
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 07:06 PM

Ed,

I'll restate, listen to "Outward Bound" by Tom Paxton to hear the same sentiment done well.

Don

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: UB Ed
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 07:03 PM

You know, I'm a pretty cynical guy, but I do like this song. I like the tune and the "just starting out" type of optimism necessary for marriage. Regardless of the simplicity and corniness of the concepts, Christy is pretty much on with the basics of an attitude necessary for a long term relationship.

That being said, we'll play Alice, Seven Nights, The Unicorn and Fields of Athenry.

Ed

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Cool Beans
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 02:26 PM

It does sound awful, just form the lyrics. But sing what the bride and groom ask you to sing, if you know the song. That's why they call it work.
Next time the situation occurs, you can always follow it up with "Third Rate Romance, Low Rent Rendezvous." But make sure they pay you in advance.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 01:29 PM

I'da told her that she shoulda booked Dan then, if Dan was what she wanted...

But did you not play it for them BEFORE the actual gig at all???

"Pay me enough and I'll sing anything you want"
There are songs and situations that I'm happy to try to price myself out of! If you wanna hear me play, for instance, "There Were Roses" then you'd better pony up a BUCKET of cash...

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 09:31 AM

I admit it. I'm a whore. I sing songs for money. It's my living and a damn good one. Pay me enough and I'll sing anything you want.
Mary, I agree about the Irish wedding Song. If the bride and groom want it, it's their big day, so I'll sing it.
One awful experience about 20 or so years ago....a young bride to be hired me to sing a Dan Fogelberg song at her wedding as she danced with her new husband. If I remember correctly, the song was along the lines of "Higher than there are birds up in the sky" or some such drivel. So I bought the album and learned the song.

The problem arose because Dan Fogelberg is a high tenor, and I'm a baritone, and the bride wanted me to sing it in a high tenor "just like Dan," as she informed me moments before I was about to sing it.

Obviously, I couldn't do it in his key without having my scrotum end up around my Adam's apple. So I did it in my key.

Well, as she and her new husband danced around, she made a point of gliding past the stage, glaring at me and hissing: "Higher! Higher! Like Dan!"

After the dance, she sought me out and told me that I had ruined her wedding by not singing it like Dan.

Her father came up later, handed me the cheque and said "You were great! Thanks!"


Seamus

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Maryrrf
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 08:32 AM

"Guest" comment is a good example of why I seldom post to Mudcat. It isn't even possible to post an opinion about a song without getting flamed by somebody who can't even sign a screen name. Hardly seems worth the bother.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 06:23 AM

To Maryrrf,

Have you written anything yourself? Can we have a listen?

I can`t help but feel there are so many people out there who are so willing to criticize but can`t write them themselves.

Wasn`t it Brendan Behan who said that critics are like euneucs in a brothel. They know how it`s done because they see it being done every night, but they can`t do it themselves.

If you don`t like the frigging song, then don`t sing it!

JB

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: DonMeixner
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 09:58 PM

Ju;ia,

I am not fond of the Irish Wedding Song either but how can you pass up the potential for screwing up the words in this song.

"There they stand, gland in hand".

Stuff like that?

We cand't :-)

Don

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Julia
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 09:52 PM

Part of the problem. esp with weddings, is that people just don't know what is available. We give them a tape of alternative suggestions that are within our genre and that we know and perform well. Most of the time they are happy to choose one of these. If they insist that they must have the dreaded song (I personally HATE!!!! the "Irish Wedding Song" and "My Heart will go on" YUCK!) We inform them that we charge an extra fee for having to learn a new piece especially for them. Then, it's your call. If they want to pay and the song is not racist, obscene, or otherwise against your morals, just badly written, well, keep the customer happy and do the song really well.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Maryrrf
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 05:05 PM

Well put, Don!

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: DonMeixner
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 04:40 PM

Mary,

I agree with Seamus on this. My personl feeling is "The Old Man" is a particularily dreadful song. It is equal in badness to "The Voyage" as far as I am concerned. But because we do the song in the band I am in and people wanted it, we recorded the song on our last CD. I reconcile myself with the fact that I don't sing it and it has interesting chord structures.

I am an entertainer and I am hired to entertain. Playing the odd shitawful song is a fair price to pay to do a job I like and get the chance to play a bunch of songs I really like.

Play the song as best you can and try not to throw up on stage.

Don

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Ed.
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 04:08 PM

I dont think that anybody said that it was.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 03:57 PM

This is NOT a thread about Cat Stevens!!!!!

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Willie-O
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 03:50 PM

I'm sitting in with Clinton on this one. Cat Stevens had a short shelf life with me...I was done with him by the time I was old enough to drink. (which ws 18 at the time).

I think the secret of a being a successful working musician with some kind of taste, is to be able to sing a bunch of songs that most audiences wouldn't think of requesting, but will enjoy and in many cases remember...after the fact...sing em what they need to hear! They'll figure it out.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 03:23 PM

Lots of people like that version of that song...

-I- especially, do not... And after whoring myself out on it once, I'll never do it again...

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Maryrrf
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 03:11 PM

I like Cat Steven's version of Morning has Broken,too. Clinton is right, I guess. Who are we to judge people's tastes? I love long ballads but they aren't most people's cup of tea. Maybe I'm the weird one.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Ed.
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 03:03 PM

I happen to like Cat Steven's version of that song, quite a lot, Clinton.

As you say, no accounting for taste...

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 02:54 PM

There's accommodating your audience, and then there's pandering... And everybody has their own personal definition of where that line is...

Unless it's someone I really LIKE personally, I refuse to be that guy who learns songs to play them at peoples weddings... Most of what people have asked me to play, I'd rather chew my own bum than sing... If they want me to sing a song that I already do at their wedding, I'm more than happy... cripse... I'll do that 15 min. gig for free...   If someone else wants me to lean and perform "Morning Has Broken"... then maybe they better ask someone else to do it...

"HOW CAN ANYBODY LIKE THAT SONG?????"

There's no accounting for taste...

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Maryrrf
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 01:08 PM

I wasn't really complaining about having to sing the song. After all, it's my choice, ultimately. They can't force me. I choose to accomodate the audience whenever it is reasonably possible, even singing songs I wouldn't wish to touch with a ten foot bargepole AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT WHAT I DEEM VULGAR, OFFENSIVE, OR GROSS. For example, I did refuse to sing Seven Nights Drunk to a drunken audience that wanted to chime in with "You bitch, you whore" on the refrain. I have refused to sing the "Alice" song as in "who the F_ _ _ is Alice?"   If people request them I will sing most songs that are innofensive but simply corny, treacly, or overdone.   I suppose the payoff is that it sometimes makes people very happy. I don't regret singing "The Voyage". The couple sent me a special card thanking me for singing it and that made me feel good. What I can figure out is HOW CAN ANYBODY LIKE THAT SONG?????

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: The Shambles
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 10:59 AM

Perhaps the answer is to try and educate the audience to the fact that all songs are a matter of personal taste? Not to be afraid to say that you would not wish to touch the song with a ten foot-bargepole and to give the reasons why. The song they want YOU to sing may be to their taste but it should not follow that it must also be to yours.

If you are not so brave (or wish to be booked again), you could inform them that the set list you have, is to your taste and you have rehearsed them so that they will be performed to the best of your ability. And that you hope that they will enjoy what you have prepared for them, as you have not got the time to prepare to requested song to the level of performance that will do it justice.

Or tell them to book Christy next time..............

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Maryrrf
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 09:15 AM

Well, I wasn't really complaining about having to sing it because i certainly could have refused. I have a day job now and could afford to turn down the gig. I am just amazed that a song like that is so popular and, as Seamus pointed out - the great Christy Moore actually recorded it! I think it's absolute treacle (well treacle tastes pretty good - but you know what I mean).

I think the issue of whether or not to sing songs one doesn't like (for working musicians - by that I mean you're being paid for the gig, not necessarily that it's your only source of income) is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer. Likewise the decision as to whether or not to take requests. I do take requests, and I usually keep a "fake book" handy so I can accommodate them (and not have to memorize a lot of songs I really don't want to learn!) I want my audience to enjoy themselves.   But I would not perform a song that I found offensive for some reason - too vulgar, politically insensitive, etc. and I guess everyone has their own criteria for this. I usually end up doing a mix of songs I like and songs I don't like, and that's okay. Like many singers I'm really sick of Danny Boy but it is rewarding to me to see how much some people enjoy it.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: jonm
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 04:44 AM

Brian Bedford of Artisan has written a similar song "I'll sail no more" which might be an alternative. I'm sure a search will find you a copy of it on CD. Plenty of opportunities for harmony, as you'd expect from Artisan.

If I've accepted a booking for a general gig, I do my stuff, no requests. If the gig is a special occasion, and I get asked in advance for a particular song, I'll give it a go. I do not do requests off the cuff (I'm neither that versatile nor experienced enough), but for a particular event I will select some material not in my usual repertoire to suit the occasion.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: GUEST,Sooz (at work)
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 03:43 AM

I like the song (s&r's version) OK its a bit soppy, but there are plenty of songs about the strife and we need some balance. At the moment I'm putting together a 45 minute set called "the course of true love" which will try to follow a relationship through and the Voyage might just squeeze its way in.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: The Shambles
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 02:12 AM

If someone hires you and requests a particular song, do it to the best of your ability - which you did- and to hell with the begrudgers.

Just shows that there are some advantages in choosing not to make music your profession. Still you don't have to sing such things when you get home.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: michaelr
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 02:00 AM

Christy has recorded his fair share of dross -- may I mention One Bright Blue Rose? The Voyage is a similar misstep, taste-wise.

The way I approach the problem, Mary, is that I make it clear from the first that when my band gets hired, my band's music gets played. If they want bloody Danny Boy they can bloody well hire a DJ, or some eejit who can manage to sing it without sinking into the ground. I refuse to sing some songs outright (Fields of A, I'll take you home again K, The Wild R, you get the gist), and some others I'll say on the PA "We have a policy about requests ... write it on the back of a $50 bill!" Sometimes it works -- and sometimes it works.

Just because they pay you doesn't mean you're a prostitute. In other words, as artists our job is not just to entertain, but to be ourselves and speak our truth the best we can. It's a narrow path to walk but it can be done. I'd rather have integrity than money.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 12:54 AM

Ah, but Christy Moore recorded it, and people think Christy shites marmalade, therefore it can't be a bad song.
Mary, you did the professional thing to do.
If someone hires you and requests a particular song, do it to the best of your ability - which you did- and to hell with the begrudgers.
You wouldn't believe some of the stuff I've had to learn for weddings (and funerals too).
Seamus

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: DonMeixner
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 12:18 AM

Mary,

It isn't you. It is awful. For the same sentiment done well try Tom Paxton's "Outward Bound". Remember, Awful is awful even if a really good writer writes it.

Don

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Maryrrf
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 09:28 PM

Oh I absolutely agree, Ed. They wanted it, I learned it, I sang it well, and they liked it. They especially requested it and since I was hired to entertain at THEIR reception I had no problem singing it. I was just curious as to how other musicians felt about it.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: The Shambles
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 07:56 PM

There certainly appear to be a lot of 'turkeys' on this subject.

Seems a lot easier to come up with songs about breakups, failures and regrets......

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 07:26 PM

Wouldn't a wedding with either of those songs at its launch be at high risk of going down like a stone, once it hits a rough patch?

Here's a thread with some better choices, notably "Come Write Me Down" (AKA "The Wedding Song"). We had that one, and it'll be forty years next month. (What I like about it is, it's got a quarrel and a reconciliation in it, and that's a good start.)

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: s&r
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 06:02 PM

I think this is the one. If you sing it sing it with the sincerity that your audience expect. (Not my choice though - for such occasions I prefer Ewan McColl's First Time ever I Saw Your Face.)

I am a sailor, you're my first mate
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
Hauled up our anchor, determined not to fail
For the hearts treasure, together we set sail

With no maps to guide us we steered our own course
Rode out the storms when the winds were gale force
Sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
Working together we learned how to cope

Chorus:
Life is an ocean and love is a boat
In troubled water that keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage, there was just me and you
Now gathered round us, we have our own crew

Together we're in this relationship
We built it with care to last the whole trip
Our true destination's not marked on any charts
We're navigating to the shores of the heart

Chorus 2x

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Ed.
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 05:59 PM

You are doing a job.

If people want to hear it, play it.

If you'd prefer to argue, die of hunger, or get a different job.

Subject: RE: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Amos
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 05:54 PM

D you mean this tripe:

lf
»

The Voyage


There's a ship that is patiently waiting
For me on the shore
And the winds, they are eager to take me
Where none been before
I can hear the winds calling out my name
If I go then I know that it will be
To never return
I can't get back what I leave behind me
All my bridges have burned
I can hear the sea roars out my name
Oh no, he waves are getting higher
Oh no, do I dare to go
Oh well, despite this nasty weather
Yes, yes, I'll go
Left my fate in the hands of the deep sea
As my voyage's begun
I don't know where the winds want to take me
I sail towards the sun
I can hear the winds calling out my
I can hear the sea roars out my name

Subject: 'The Voyage' - Is it me or is it awful
From: Maryrrf
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 05:46 PM

I've gotten requests for this song several times and never learned it because I find it so embarassingly bad, but recently I've been booked for some wedding receptions so I couldn't get out of it - had to learn it and perform it and managed to sing it and sound sincere. Is it just me that's an old cynic or is this one of the worst songs in recent memory?   I find it cloying, sickeningly sentimental, awkward - in short - awful. I almost can't get through that "relation'ship' line. However, people are delighted when I sing it. Some couples get all misty eyed. One couple wrote me a special "Thank You" card for making their reception so special by singing it. Maybe it only speaks to those in the full throes of romantic love!