Amazed at how some threads develop. Everything from fractious, informative, thought provoking, untruthful and sometimes downright objectionable. This one has developed more than I thought it would given so many other threads re EM have covered the ground already.

The old crib sheet/words subject has been covered with before with the usual frayed conclusions.

I'm inclined to say that there has to be a number of dividing lines laid down. Paid guests/supporting artists/floorspots are one place where we can reasonably expect a much higher level of performance.

At a singaround we're all there to enjoy ourselves to whatever level of performance we can acheive. I'd emphasize enjoy there. Sometimes that doesn't seem to be an act that seems to be acceptable with some contributors. Everybodies contribution is valid. I know many songs fully. Not as many as once upon a time but enough to get by if I have to. I and others would get very fed up if I just repeated them all the time. Many people do exactly that of course. That becomes a natural (rude in my opinion) beer break in some circumstances.

Then again if I want to sing something that's topical because of that week's news, why shouldn't I, or anyone else, print it off and sing it, I just don't see a problem with it or why some see it as such a terrible act. I've seen any number of performers in "In Concert" programs on Sky Arts, Beeb 3 & 4, YouTube videos who have the music stand set up and ready.

To me it's like we're all footballers. It would be nice to be at Premier League level, but some of are only Non-league and even more are Sunday Morning Pub Team level. We all play the same game to whatever level we can and hopefully enjoy it, even if there are more miskicks and duff tackles at the lower level.