"Oh - one more thing. One of the more important aspects of public folk singing is audience participation, and this happens to be a good song for group singing. So if any of you feel like joining in with me on this song, I'd appreciate it if you would leave - right now." - Tom Lehrer, introduction to "The Irish Ballad".

Generally, I don't mind if people join in when I sing with guitar, but if I'm singing with my hand placed over the strings, that should be a hint to most people that no chords are wanted on this song thankyouverymuch.

My favorite party piece is "The Sick Note", which I *always* do a cappella. Many years ago, I was a-walking one morning in May, when I came on a pub called Johnny Fox's, (containing perhaps 5% Genuine Irish, the rest being tourists, but that's another story) where volunteers were asked to sing. Apparently, the guitarist there wot not of the term "A cappella", and started playing along with me. In several of his own keys of course. Now I was a guest there and didn't want to p*** off the locals, so I just soldiered on, said "thank you" and left the stage.

I reserve the right, on every tenth occurrence or so, to break out the Leatherman and cut the pillock's guitar strings.