What are they singing in English Pubs?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,synbyn
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 02:03 PM

Yup, I can confirm that, in Kent, hops are 'bines'. This usually means the whole length of the growth which is cut down from the wire, laid out and then put through the stripping machine in a shed to separate the flowers, which are usually female. Willow and weather- we used to do quite well in the County Championship before T20 disrupted the season because we had about a foot less rain than Old Trafford!
Bob

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 09:12 PM

When we were revisiting England last September we certainly experienced some excellent pub singing but we did do some advance planning. We enjoyed The Steamer in Fleetwood, the Stockport Folk Club, The Tap & Spile in York, and The Black Boy session in Hull. We only wish we had had more time and energy.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 09:46 AM

Barbara,

From Wkipedia: A bine is a climbing plant which climbs by its shoots growing in a helix around a support. It is distinct from a vine, which climbs using tendrils or suckers.

and:

Although frequently referred to as the hop "vine", it is technically a bine

I guess outside Kent the word "bine" isn't used much these days...in fact, with the recent loss of hop-growing acreage it's probably not used that much in Kent any more either :-(

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Barbara
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 11:27 PM

Rob, is "hops on the bine" a typo, or is a bine something I don't know about?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 03:46 PM

When my brother in law was overseas in WW2 he said that they would sing Kevin Barry in a pub as it was guaranteed to start a brawl!

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 12:20 PM

Rob
Not being English I can only comment on what I've heard in English pubs from 1960 up until 1995 ish when sadly the last Piano in this area disappeared from the last free n'easy pub, and those were the most common songs I hear, though from the early 60's a lot of Irish songs and some old country songs were sung too, and much later Beatles songs and other Golden Oldie 60's songs. I thank you for he history lessom even if I can't see it's relevance

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: harmonic miner
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 07:01 AM

Who asked you to do an English Pub Night?

Either (a) do what they expect or (b) do whatever you want. Or some combination of same.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 05:33 AM

Yep...the thread got reactivated after an inquiry about lyrics for "Man of Kent"

I'm also interested in how your gig went, Bert....and did you ever learn "Dr Syn"?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 01:01 PM

The original inquiry from Bert was a year ago... how did it go, Bert?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 09:58 AM

And still there are the "two camps". If you go to a song session in a pub there are people singing traditional (well, what I remember as trad from the 60s), and those strumming guitars playing Dylan and Beatles. With an occassional request from the bar to "Sing The Irish Rover"

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 09:04 AM

Desi C: I think that what you're remembering here as "English culture" is acollection of popular and music hall songs that were, with the exception of MOMAD, written either during or between WW1 and WW2:

My Old Man Said Follow The Van: 1912-1916?
We'll Meet Again: 1939
Roll Out The Barrel: 1934. Czech in origin!
Goodbyee: 1915
White Cliffs Of Dover:1941
My Ole Man's A dustman: 1960

Not particularly traditional! I expect at the time these songs were being sung in pubs up and down the land, largely to a piano accompaniment, the older people listening would have been decrying the replacement of unaccompanied "traditional" songs such as "Banks of the Sweet Primroses" by these raucous songs accompanied by a "nasty, loud piano".

What you've selected is a very limited subset of pub singing that was only really in vogue for 3-4 decades and which itself replaced previous traditions.

Nowadays, here is some impromptu singing in pubs, but apart from folk clubs there are loads of singarounds and sessions where a wide variety of songs are sung and played, plus "open mic" evenings where modern popular songs are often performed (just as the songs you list as "traditional" were actually 2modern popular songs" in their heydays of being performed in pubs. And that's not to mention karaoke. Lets face it, most of the songs you mention wre effectively the "karakoe of their day" with the music provided by the pub pianist, rather than the karaoke machine, and everyone singing along.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 07:22 AM

Can't remember the last time I heard any singing in English pubs, most traditional Pubs have either been closed down or an in such a bad state that they soon will be. A destruction of what little English culture remains and supported by a so called English Government who are taxing and pricing them out of existence. What music is left is on over loud Juke Boxes, when customers practise an unusual tradition of stuffing them full of money but then sit making as much noise as possible so the music can't be heard

Sorry if that's a depressing reply, but outside the folk clubs English traditional songs are rarely heard in Pubs any more. But If you mean an old style English singalong, look up tratitional pub songs on Google, songs like We'll Meet Again, Roll Out THe Barrell, Goodbyee, My Old Man Said Follow The Van, My Ole Man's A dustman, White Cliffs Of Dover, there are hundreds just lying neglected

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:46 AM

Sorry, I missed a couple of corrections to the "Man of Kent" lyrics. Here's the correct version in full:

Man of Kent by Bob Kenward

The farmer will tell of the field and the tree
For the good soil of Kent's known all over
And the traveller returning is gladdened to see
The welcoming sea cliffs of Dover

And the hops on the bine out Faversham way
And the apples in fruit around Marden
Here's health to the Darent likewise the Medway
And the Downs that surround England's garden

The Canterb'ry pilgrims once paused on their way
Beneath forest shade where they rested
Now the plough and the harvester work all the day
Where the wind blows the grass around Yalstead

Chorus

Now Maidstone's a market that's held in esteem
Where the cattle and crops are worth selling
And Faversham's brewers produce Shepherd Neame
Bringing many a tale to the telling

Chorus

It's the Medway distinguishes we Men of Kent
From the Kentish Men west of the river
But we'll meet at St Lawrence, the Nevill or Mote
To celebrate willow and weather

Chorus

There's hundreds of houses surrounding the green
But the beauty of Kent is not waning
There's still Romney Mash and old Tenterden Town
The oasts and the downland remaining

Chorus (x2)

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:20 AM

When I posted the words to "Man of Kent" above I'd just learned the song from Stuart Pendrill, who messed with the words a bit...

The correct (Kenward-penned) words are:

"welcoming white cliffs of Dover" should be "welcoming sea cliffs of Dover"

And ""celebrate willow on leather" should be "celebrate willow and weather"

Bob deliberately DIDN'T use "white" and "leather" as he felt these were too cliched.

So sorry for the slight mistakes in the previous post.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Ian Fyvie
Date: 06 May 10 - 11:29 AM

I was pleased to come across a folky pub called the Dolphin in Littlehampton on the South coast of England recently where a piano player "rehearsed" in public tuesdays and thursdays middayish onward. The pub also takes a leadung part inthe Littlhamopton Folk weekend.

Possibly the best folk is to be fould in smaller non competetive towns now rather than the metropolis.

Ian F

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 02:30 PM

Thanks for all your help everyone. We can't include all of the good ideas in one night but this is what we have on out tentative play list.

Beer, Glorious Beer   
Bless 'em all
Come Inside
Dahn the Plug'Ole
British Workman's Grave
Danny Boy
Dirty Old Town
The Fields of Athenry
It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary
I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts
Kilgarry Mountain
Knees Up, Mother Brown
Lambeth Walk
Maggie May
Maybe it's Because I'm a Londoner
My old man's a dustman
The Old Sow Song
Pub with no Beer
Putting on the Style
Ramblin` Rover
Seven Dear Old Ladies
Silicone Cindy
Size Doesn't Matter
Streets of London
Whiskey Johnny
Wild Rover
Ragland Road
This land is your land

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 03:32 AM

So tell us, Bert. What did you sing in the end and how did it go down?

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 04:11 AM

"The Standard English Bottom"
??????
tell me more, auntie.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: squeezeboxhp
Date: 11 Apr 10 - 07:54 AM

in the hunting season end of hunt sings are a regular occurence in pubs after excersising hounds all afternnon.
dido bendigo, master smith says to john,the manchester cornstalk, drink puppy drink, etc.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 06:52 PM

Have just returned from an evening when the Gloucestershire Morris entertained the locals in a pub. The songs we sang included:
The Fox, the Nutting Girl, Martin said to his man, Sweet Nightingale, Underneath the Spreading Chestnut Tree, the Keeper, Show me the way to go home, Now is the hour, When Father papered the parlour, South Australia, Kind Friends and Companians, plus a few jigs and reels and some singalong stuff (Daisy, etc).

It seemed to do the trick and the landlord thanked us all at the end.

I mention this as it seemed to me a typical English pub sing-song.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Old Vermin
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 05:53 PM

Thousands or More or anything else from the Coppers.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Gervase
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 04:55 PM

According to the labour party (fuckwits) there is "no history of singing in English pubs"!
Source? Or is this one worthy of the Daily Express?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 12:51 PM

Thanks Rob. I just listened to it. It is a great song. I'll definitely learn it.

MadauntieCat. 'Isn't it Grand' IS a cheerful song. Maybe I could follow it with 'Dahn the Plug'ole'

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,MadauntieCat
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 11:51 AM

Last Widdlesday at the Plume of Feathers (Glos UK) we had:
Gravel Walks
Dick Gossip
King of the Fairies
   The Sleeping Song
Starry Night
other jigs and reels wot I know not the names of
Ratcatcher's Daughter
   Tom o'Bedlam
    No Money, No Whiskey, No Wine
Several English morris-type accordion songs- Down in the Valley,Oats and Beans etc
Past the Point of Rescue
Nice flute solo
   Nice spanish style geetar solo
Slightly unhinged song about why Pharaohs don't rate pyramid shaped teabags, accompanied on the mandolin and garlic.


Previously and frequently we also have:
Lots of other jigs, reels and hornpipes (we have a couple of decent fiddle and bodhran players)
The Standard English Bottom
Jackson
   Bob's miserable songs with long intros (he's famous for them)
Iko Iko
Virtuoso hammer dulcimer playing (he is so talented!)
Stuff. Lots of stuff!


Good luck, Bert. It'll be a blast. Make sure you have a cheerful song to follow 'Isn't it Grand' though... ; )

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 11:13 AM

Bert:

OK, I've emailed you the chords for Doctor Syn and an MP3 of it being sung. Hope you like it enough to use it...please give credit for authorship to Bob Kenward of Kent if you do.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 10:08 AM

Just a thought - If you put @English in the search field you will get all the somgs that are tagged 'English'. I don't know how accurate the tags are but it does give you a lot of songs.

DeG

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: skipy
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 08:16 PM

According to the labour party (fuckwits) there is "no history of singing in English pubs"!
Skipy

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 08:04 PM

If its in Collorado they are probabl;y thinking of an 'old time' singalong with a piano. These hapened every friday night in ther public bars ( now extinct) of pubs in London when I was young. One still survived later when I was in leicester ( the Fox and Houinds at Anstey).
   There were of course, regional differences, but pre-war film songs, music hal numbers, and local songs predominated. The folk in US probably have their images from films set in London, so 'Roll out the barrell, Old Bull and Bush, My old man said follow the van, knocked 'em in the old kent road, any old iron, hopping down in kent, my dear old dutch etc etc would all fit.

Subject: Lyr Add: MAN OF KENT (Bob Kenward)
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 07:21 PM

Another Bob Kenward song that I like (despite Kent not being my birth county) is "Man of Kent":

Man of Kent by Bob Kenward


The farmer will tell of the field and the tree
For the good soil of Kents known all over
And the traveller returning is gladdened to see
The welcoming white cliffs of Dover

And the hops on the bine out Faversham way
And the apples in fruit around Marden
Here's health to the Darent likewise the Medway
And the Downs that surround England's garden

The Canterb'ry pilgrims once walked on their way
And beneath forest shade where they rested
Now the plough and the harvester work all the day
Where the wind blows the grass around Yalstead

Chorus

Now Maidstone's a market that's held in esteem
Where the cattle and crops are worth selling
And Faversham's brewers produce Shepherd Neame
Bringing many a tale to the telling

Chorus

It's the Medway that distinguishes we Men of Kent
From the Kentish Men west of the river
But we'll meet at St Lawrence, the Nevill or Mote
To celebrate willow on leather

Chorus

Though there's hundreds of houses around New Ash Green
But the beauty of Kent is not waning
There's still Romney Mash and old Tenterden Town
The oasts and the downland remaining

Chorus (x2)

Subject: Lyr Add: DR SYN (Bob Kenward)
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 05:43 PM

Bert, I have the lyrics here:

Dr Syn, by Bob Kenward


As I walked out on Romney Marsh one evening in July
I heard the Hawthorn crack; I swear and quiet footsteps stealing by
I hurried by without a glance as wiser men will do
And then did meet a customs man who rapidly his pistol drew

And where are you going to?
And where is it that you have been?
You cannot pass this way tonight
We're looking out for Doctor Syn

I did not lie, but told to him that nothing had I seen
And down the road he strode alone by open dykes and rushes green
Near Dymchurch did I turn to watch the sun set o'er the town
Beyond the sea wall waves did lap and oars cut water without sound

CHORUS

The night was still and moonless as down I lay to sleep
No sound was there but seagull cries or sudden silence mongst the sheep
Then slow the moon rose on the land fresher blew sea wind
At once a single shot I heard and distant cries of desperate men

CHORUS

Along the road there quickly sped a stumbling man in haste
And faster on those footsteps pressed the smuggling men in deadly chase
The rind moon gleamed with sharpest edge sea wind died to calm
Then only dyke reeds whisp-er-ed and dark waters washed away alarm

CHORUS

Cold dew of dawn lay on the grass before I did dare rise
Expecting then that I should see a silenced man before my eyes
No one walks the marsh at night bound unto Hythe from Rye
Without the dyke reeds whispering while quite waters make reply

_____________________________

I'll get the tune for you asap...it's a good one for everyone to sing along to the chorus. Bob's written loads of good songs about Kent...but this it my favourite, I think. Very atmospheric, as the tune suits the subject very well.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 04:54 PM

I can get them!

Watch this space.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 04:51 PM

Rob,

Do you have words and music for Doctor Syn?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 12:22 PM

Bert, I've enjoyed this thread hugely so far, and will enjoy hearing what you fix on for your gig. And it'll be interesting to hear about your audiences responses to your choices!

Otherwise, I'd say don't sweat it. Sounds like you've got enough old classic British pub numbers under your belt to give your punters exactly what they'll be wanting! :-)

Mind you, you refreshing this thread has made me think on a few more....

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 12:16 PM

Thanks, loads of good suggestions and comments. Just what I needed to prepare a song list.

When the date is finalized I'll let you know.

Bert.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:28 PM

Well the end bit of Lassie from Lancashire seems to be used at the end of the Irish National Anthem!

Most 'general' audiences are not sufficiently musically aware of what songs are available in any particular genre. I would concentrate on what people would find entertaining, amusing songs, songs with easy choruses to join in on.

Last week in Donegal the American visitors were asked what songs/tunes they would like. So it was The Wild Rover and the Irish Washerwoman, either of which the guys running the session would have happily paid not to play, at least judging by the looks we got from them. So are there any songs that Americans would automatically expect in an English context? Think Hollywood! Roll out the barrel? Down at the Old Bull and Bush? You might have to do them.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 05:51 PM

Lots of suggestions in the above, but if it is an English pub evening, I would suggest trying to stick to English songs. There are plenty of songs to pick from, but to be 'authentic', stick to English. I think that a Colorado audience will not be impressed with hearing American songs at an English evening (however good those songs might be). If I was doing an all English evening, I would have to leave out songs like Daisy Daisy and Grandfather's Clock, beloved of English pubgoers but written by Americans. By the same token, if I was asked to do an Irish evening, I wouldn't sing Fathom the Bowl or Lassie from Lancashire.

Feel free to disagree.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Paul Reade
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 12:24 PM

The rate English pubs are closing down, we'll soon be lucky to find one to drink in, never mind sing.

Still, we can always go to Colorado Springs!

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,Jon a guest
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:52 AM

They don't sing in English pubs, and haven't done for quite a while...unless they're folkies and have either a) a dedicated room or b) a dedicated night in the bar. Or that Chas and/or Dave live around the corner. Unless YOU know different... I suspect any 'Irish' pubs might burst spontaneously into song though.

It's difficult to sing in an English pub against the piped music (ironic that it's not the music they don't like...just the non-electronic commercial kind) let alone finding a place to sit amongst the Brake Brothers dinners and the shouting of "Number four - who ordered the pancetta-wrapped Lord Ballad".

Sad to say but singarounds don't really do it for me any more. There was something rather special when (years ago, of course) someone stood up and sang something amidst the noise and smoke which actually captured peoples imagination, and without any 'shushhing', quiet descended on the room and a round of applause followed the song. Mind you, the singer and the song had to be bloody special.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:28 AM

At the last session I went to we had (among others):

- Merry Little Hop
- Golden Vanity
- Spanish Ladies
- Band Played Waltzing Matilda
- Brighton Camp
- Curly Headed Ploughboy
- Brighton (Parody of Art G's "Bright Eyes")
- Doctor Syn
- Those Were The Days (as a fiddle/ guitar duet)
- The Yorkshire Couple (AKA Dog and Gun)
- And a couple of shantys (chanteys?) in 5/4 time that I can't remember the names of

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:22 AM

Give us a night down The Beech, Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester. First and third Wednesdays - Sog my butnet - ( Songs mostly bt not exclusively traditional). Beginners Tunes last Tuesday

chher
L in C

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:13 AM

Cynic? Me? Never! :-)

You are quite right of course, Ian. Bit of over exaguration. Apart from the PRS bit - Most pubs do have a PRS licence but that is for the jukebox and/or radio. Wait until they find out you have live music!

...and I need to come and show you how a proper drunk should behave. I'll soon change your mind about part of the community :-D

"Gi'us Boheemiouth rapshoddy..."

DeG

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:06 AM

Though I wouldn't say it's by any means how it should be, the legal situation is hardly how it's represented by the cynics among us (and I don't think people do us too many favours by over-egging the pudding in this respect).

All our local pubs are licensed for music & dancing and the village pubs are licensed for the mummers play (though God help us if we try it outside the village but I expect the LA would turn a blind eye as they did before the new licensing laws).

The pubs also all pay a PRS license anyway.

As for drunks, we don't have stages - ours are mainly participatory things - and the drunks are generally respectful. They might give you a bit of a heckle, but they too are part of the community.

:-)

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:26 AM

BTW - If you want to do it properly make sure you have filled in all forms, in triplicate, and sent them to the local counceil for approval by the live performance comittee who meet on the third Wednesday of every month with an 'X' in it. Get the HSE to check out the premises to make sure no-one can sprain a larynx or break a fingernail. Pay the ransom to the PRS mafia for playing songs that no-one ever gets any money for and, finaly, have a drunk standing in front of the stage demanding something by the Stranglers until he either gets thrown out or throws up all over your shoes.

We need authenticity in these things after all!

:D (eG)

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 04:28 AM

Perhaps more importantly, if you want to get a feel for what's going on "in the round" you might ask what's going on in the 3 pubs in my village. Here's my answer.

1. The Rose & Crown
This is the "village pub". There's a regular monthly acoustic session ... songs and tunes (mostly what could be described as "folk") ... it's the venue for quite a few events (darts/dominoes/cribbage competitions, conkers contests, sloe gin competitions etc.) as well as hosting local rock bands occasionally despite the bar areas being quite small. The mummers practise here in season and usually sing a few songs and there are occasional "impromptu" (i.e. completely unplanned) sessions where people either just sing or maybe go back home and get their instruments.

2. The Bushel & Strike
Till recently, the Bushel was the main venue for live music, having a large room out back which is ideal for a small concert hall. There were monthly concerts till last November (these may start up again this year) and there was a weekly "open mike" (very eclectic) until a year or so ago. The pub's a bit in decline at the moment, but the summer will probably see more activity.

3. The Three Tuns
Since the new landlord arrived in October, there have been weekly concerts on a Friday night. A mixed bunch of musicians ... bands, singer-songwriters playing guitar or keyboard, duos. Not much else musically, but they have other events like quiz nights. It's not entirely unheard of to have spontaneous singing occur in this (or either of the other) pubs but it's difficult to predict when this will happen as it's spontaneous.

Obviously, in a village, there are other things which run across these boundaries ... the local morris teams visit the pubs once or twice a year and perform at local events (e.g. Ashwell At Home, Ashwell Show). The local sword dancers visit occasionally and the village mummers perform in the pubs at Christmas (and sometimes Easter). There are also 4 or 5 bands in the village ... mainly 60s/70s/80s rock, but a couple do acoustic sessions and there is an acoustic "folk" band and, if it's still going, a ceilidh band.

For reference, the next village has only one pub but it also has a monthly session and other related activity.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: alanww
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 04:18 AM

Hello Bert
The songs I have sung in pubs over the last month are:-

My Grandfather's Clock; Leaving of Liverpool; Country Life (I Like to Rise); Lamorna; Rio Grande; Lark in the Clear Air; April Morning; Row On; Sweet Thyme; Rosabelle; John Kanaka; Roll Alabama Roll; Water is Wide; Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire; Shawnee Town; Limehouse Reach; Saucy Sailor; Bright Fine Gold; Banana Boat Song; Shallow Brown; Fathom the Bowl; Grey Funnel Line; British Grenadiers; You Are My Sunshine; Over the Hills and Far Away; Johnson Girls; and, Paddy Lay Back.

Is that enough variety to convince you that anythings goes? (But not too many wrist slashers!)
"... give an ear to my song!"
Alan

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 03:36 AM

So ... 1 in 20 would be "rare" would it?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bugsy
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 07:41 PM

Bert,

I've noticed a lot of posts with folkie and pop/rock songs of the 60's etc as suggetions for your evening.

THe selection of songs on my earlier post were in refernece to your first post. What a "US" audience would consider as an English pub music night.
Living in the US you would be well aquainted with the popular stereotype of the "Brit" "Pom" OR "Limey" and I think that most probably the same would go for the "Pub Music", if you get my meaning.

That said, I'm sure you could slip in the odd Streets of London, and Black Velvet band.

Oh and don't forget "I'm Getting Married in the Morning"

Once again, Good luck with the gig!

CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Weasel
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 06:51 PM

Last time I heard singing in an English pub that wasn't on an organised singing night must have been about thirty years ago. (That's not to say that impromptu sessions don't happen, but they seem to avoid them when I'm around.)

Cheers,

Weasel

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Gervase
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 06:06 PM

Sssh! You'll break the spell...

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 01:48 PM

And what was going on in the nearest 20 pubs to where you were I wonder Ian?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 10:36 AM

Rare to hear singing in an English pub? you're joking!!!

What were we singing/playing last night? Well ...

Maggie May (Rod Stewart)
King George's Hunt
Black Velvet Band (nice Norfolk number)
Kites (Simon Dupree and The Big Sound)
Bobbie Shaftoe/The Keel Row
If I Had A Ship I'd Sail Away
Jenny Lind Polka
Dirty Old Town
Royal Liverpool Hornpipe
Streets Of London
Mingulay Boat Song
Castleford Ladies Magical Circle
Norfolk Polkas (Old Joe/Dan Leno)
Sloop John B

Can't remember all that many, the Old Trip took over at some time.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 08:17 AM

Oh Yes !! And there's free food ( Pasta dishes mainly),as the owners/landlords have there for one year exactly ! So if you live anywhere within travelling distance of Buckinghamshire,try the Dog & Badger at Medmenham (between Henley & Marlow ) tonight !

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 08:12 AM

We ( " The Bottom Line" ) are playing in a typical English Pub tonight (April 6th). Here is our set list :

   I'll Fly Away
    Across the Great Divide
    Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
       Lowlands
       Looking in the Eyes of Love
          Tequila Sunrise
            Waltzing's for Dreamers
Bless The Broken Road
Down In The River To Pray
    I Ain't Ever Satisfied
    Galway Girl
       Keep On The Sunny Side
         Country Roads
          The Circle Game
            If I Had A Boat
The Grass Is Blue
   Here In California
    Willing
      Cash On The Barrelhead
       This Old Town
          Waited As Long As I can
            Desperado
             Sunny Afternoon / Hit The Road Jack

    How does that grab you ?? !!

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 06:36 AM

If folkies gather in a pub, playing or singing and we 'play to the gallery' with
Whiskey in the jar
Wild Rover
Irish Rover
In my Liverpool Home
etc.
we get a response from the bar, sometimes a request for one of them.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bugsy
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 08:05 PM

Bert, I'd put money on it that they would be happy with the songs your parents used to do.

Maybe stuff like

Follow the Van,
Long Way to Tipperary
Barefoot Days
Who's Sorry Now
Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner
Roll out the Barrel

I'm sure you know loads of that type of stuff.

Over here in Australia, that seems to be the sort of thing they like.

Good luck with the gig

CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 08:26 PM

With gestures!

I remember when I left my Norwegian employer in 1992. It was winter and we had 4 seismic boats in Stavanger waiting for the weather. They gave me a great "send-off" in one of the bars on the front....loads of songs, culminating in 60 people singing "Swing Low" with full gestures, to the *total* bemusement of the Norwegian clientele of the bar...best send off I've had from anywhere I've worked: spontaneous, and from the guys and girls at the "sharp end" of the operation to an office "Coffee-Drinker" (disparaging name the crews gave to the office staff). I must have been doing something right.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,Bardan
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 08:17 PM

swing low sweet chariot is often popular

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 03:26 PM

Mostly American songs or English songs with an American accent!
Jim Reeves
Dolly Parton
Old minstrel songs
Country and Western
There are plenty of Irish pubs in England where you would expect the whole Dubliners/Clancy Brothers repertoire.

If you've seen some of the other threads you'd know there isn't a lot of singing going on in English pubs because of recent legislation making it difficult.

Show me the way to go home...........

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Micca
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 03:15 PM

Bert, you could try This One there is a set of words in the DT also but I dont know if there is a tune, it has a "feel" of a good pub song, and in case no one has mentioned it " landlord fill the flowing bowl"( ok , I know not an easy accompaniment on a guitar)

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 02:29 PM

This is the kind of stuff that goes on in one particular pub in Kent UK.

http://www.youtube.com/wordweaver58

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Stower
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 01:53 PM

Anything on a karaoke machine? Football songs? Rugby songs? Folk songs? Country songs? Blues? Rock and roll? The songs that go with any given tribute band?

It depends which pub, which audience, which night of the week.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Ian Fyvie
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 01:32 PM

The classic English pub music session was probably almost extinct by 1980.

When we started the Brighton Singers' Folk Club in a pub bar in 1980, already visitors were calling in and saying "just like it USED to be in London...".

Rather than trying to replicate what's going on in a typical English pub now* (nothing much except for a load of eyeballs staing at TV Sport", I'm all for music fans of folk/musichall/old 'popular' types of music trying to recreate that typical old English pub music singalong - to show the brainwash resistant punters what good fun pubs could be again. [Theory: TV sport has far more to do with the death of so many English pubs than any smoking ban!]   

*Talking about the typical pub were nothing special goes on of course - apart from the 'ON' switch. There are still lots of folk type sessions and similar, hapenning every week/ month in public bars - including NEW ones in our part of Engalnd.

PS Brighton Singers' Folk Club bar singarounds are now at The Pond, Gloucester Road, near Brighton (main) raolway station. - every wednesday.

Subject: Lyr Add: LONDON GIRLS (from Chas & Dave)
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 01:23 PM

Sorry Bert, I'm on a role. This is such a laugh!

Chas & Dave: LONDON GIRLS

Lyrics:

Some people sing about Deutchy girls and girls from California.
They might be all right for a night all right, but don't trust them, I warn ya.
I've been to the east and I've been out west and I been all the world around,
But I ain't seen none come anywhere near the girls from London town.

CHORUS: Give me a London girl every time.
I've gotta find one. I've made up my mind.
Give me a London girl every time.
I want a London girl.

Marry a girl from London town, and you know you can trust 'em.
They'll darn your socks and wash and mend your trousers if you bust 'em.
They're all good cooks and they got good looks and they won't leave you a dance.
I'm gonna find a London girl, if I get half a chance. CHORUS

London girls are the best in the world; there ain't no doubt about it.
If you can't find a girl from London town, you're better off doing without it.
They don't create when you come home late and you're crawling up the passage floor,
And they won't muck about when you've gone out with the geezer from the house next door. CHORUS

If you ever go down to London town, your legs will turn to jelly
'Cos the girls down there I swear are just like models off the telly,
But they don't need no makeup, they look good as they are,
And they've always got a pound to buy a round when it's their turn at the bar. CHORUS

You know it's not wrong...

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bernard
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 01:21 PM

Perhaps...
Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There
Mamas & Papas - California Dreamin'
Beach Boys - Sloop John 'B'
Rolling Stones - The Last Time
Monkees - Daydream Believer
Hollies - He Ain't Heavy (He's My Brother)
Gerry & The Pacemakers - Ferry 'Cross the Mersey
Herman's Hermits - I'm Into Somethin' Good
I find those tend to have quite a wide appeal - folkies and non-folkies alike.

As has already been posted, wartime songs - such as the perennial 'Pack Up Your Troubles' and 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary', which you can organise to have one half of the room singing one and the other half singing the other, all at the same time!

Daft things like 'My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean' where people have to stand up on the first word starting with 'B', sit down on the second, and so-on - at the end of the verse, those sitting down got it right! Then you throw in another (fake) verse:

My Bonny is back from the ocean
My Bonny is back from the sea
She brought me a bunch of bananas
For me and my Bonny for tea
(Chorus)

Those still standing at the end got it right this time...

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 01:13 PM

Oops, I wanna swap hold your hand for You Gotta Hide Your Love Away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz7IjXu0DfQ&feature=related

Then there's Blur's self-aware play on England and its cliches: Park Life

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:52 PM

Beatles' songs? Early ones:

If I Fell

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

And I Love Her (my absolute favourite....)

Crowsister

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:37 PM

Fiddler's Green, Wild Rover, Dirty Old Town, Black Velvet Band, Raggle Taggle gypsies - all English songs that the Irish think aren't! Farmer's Boy, Sweet Nightingale, Fathom the Bowl, Farmer's Toast, Joans' Ale, Barley Mow. Failing that, some Beatles stuff - Norwegian Wood, Nowhere Man, Yellow Submarine, Hey Jude, Let it be, etc. Or you could try some of the real old pub stuff - Tipperary, Pack up your Troubles, My Old Man said follow the van, Knees up mother Brown, I'll be your sweetheart, etc. As others have said, it depends on your audience and what they are expecting and upon your knowledge, ability and taste. Whatever you do, have a great time, look and sound confident all everyone will go home happy!

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:23 PM

"I was thinking some of those might be a little dated."

Nothing wrong with old but good Bert. I'd just mix a few modern ones in too for good measure. Gervase mentions Oasis. well I think that's quite a good idea too as your audience are likely to recognise their successful songs. Check this acoustic 'Wonderwall' by the lone talent in the band: Wonderwall

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:19 PM

Ah! skiffle, oh course I'd forgotten that. Gives me a lot more choices, thanks, that is very helpful.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:16 PM

An evening in an English Pub could be ANYTHING Bert ! From a Traditional Folk Club to a Pub R&B Band via Jazz Skiffle and blues !
Sorry , but we would need a it more information if you want us to be a bit more helpful !

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:14 PM

I was thinking of including

Beer, glorious beer
Ain't it grand to be blooming well dead
British Workman's Grave
Dahn the plug 'ole
Kathleen
Pub with no beer (not English but fun)

Any more hints would be welcomed

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:12 PM

As to what us lot are singing in pubs today, well it's a right mixed bag. But as I said, I'm guessing your audience might want something identifiably English. As you're there just to entertain, I'd probably go down that route. There is quite a lot of traditional English songs at one of the pub sessions I go to though.

Otherwise you could try songs by English folk artists *about* England. Billy Bragg comes to mind as a high profile singer songwriter whose material might work for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jphA05ka6E

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:10 PM

All he said was 'An English Pub Night'.

The location is Colorado Springs so the audience would mostly be American.

Most of my "Pub" songs are what my parents used to sing, Mum used to play piano in a pub. But I was thinking some of those might be a little dated.

Good point CS "What would THEY imagine people sing in English pubs?"

I will be playing acoustic guitar. I've not met the other prospective performer yet so what he does is unknown for now.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Gervase
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:02 PM

It's very rare to find any singing in English pubs, but Beatles, Oasis and Jarvis Cocker covers seem popular when you do get people's tonsils oiled, and the odd wartime favourite might be heard from the older folk. Tom Jones numbers go down well. Otherwise any of the standards you'd find on a Karaoke machine. One genre you'd be wise to steer clear of is traditional folk - it's not very popular in English pubs. ;-)
Seriously though, I imagine the people asking probably want a pastiche of what they imagine a trad English pub night to be, so just sing whatever you like!

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 11:51 AM

Gosh that's a puzzler. Who's the audience? What would THEY imagine people sing in English pubs?

I'm guessing a bit of Chas and Dave might not go amiss.. No I'm not joking! Then there's Beatles songs of course. Some of the early ones are quite lovely on a guitar (I take it you're doing acoustic guitar?). Probably anything by Ewan MaCcoll - I'm learning 'The Moving On Song' right now. Otherwise take your pick of any of the old traditional English songs out there.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 11:50 AM

Depends on the nature of the audience. "Pub Night" could mean anything from traditional drinking songs to covers of modern pop songs.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 11:43 AM

And this for seconds

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 11:42 AM

Try this for starters!

Subject: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 11:38 AM

I have been asked to do an English pub night, but it has been many years since I have been in England.

So what are they singing nowadays?