By some strange coincidence, just after hearing about Ian Campbell's death, the Apprentice Song, or a version of it, came to my mind yesterday. We are away at a singing weekend in the Gower, and having a lot of fun. An idea occurred to me again, which I have discussed in the past with freda underhill - wouldn't it be great if there could be an old folkie's home, where we could spend our retirement years just partying and sessioning with like-minded people! As some of us were talking about it over dinner, I remembered I had the words of a song to the tune of the Apprentice Song, called Old Folkie's Home, so I sang it last night in a session.

Not sure what Ian Campbell would think of his song being used in this way, but I also really like The Apprentice Song. I've heard it quite a bit in Sydney - in sessions etc and it was recorded by The Fagans. So I was quite surprised when I moved over here to the UK with Rob that he didn't know it, and it doesn't seem to be as well known here.

Anyway, just for the fun of it, and also to refresh this thread, I've posted the words of the Old Folkie's Home, which may or may not be elsewhere on Mudcat:

Old Folkie's Home - by Liz Merton, Mary Hubble & Ruth Birnie

(to the tune of The Apprentice Song)

Come on Folkies, bring your music,
Leave the suburbs to your kids.
Here's a home for your retirement,
You can jam all day instead.
Keep your eyes on the older folkies,
They're the ones who know their stuff.
One day you will play like they do,
If you stay here long enough!

Come on Folkies, bring your songbooks,
Just in case your memory fades.
Bring your CDs, tapes and records (& mini discs and DVDs)
And be sure they will be played.
Never mind if the volume's fading,
Hearing aids are all the rage.
We'll still party to the small ones,
Celebrate our growing age.

Wake up dear, it's time to party,
Here's the gear to change your drip.
Fill the damn thing up with whiskey
And we'll have a groovey trip.
Nearly time for this evening's ceilidh,
Are your wheelchair's brakes alright?
Don't want any nasty crashes,
No more skid marks, like last night.

Rediscover your libido
when you lose the stress and strain.
Double rooms are there for sharing,
Lots of time for fun and games.
People say 'Life begins at 40'
Here you'll see the living proof.
Practise makes your playing polished,
Let us pity callow youth.