Alan - I had to ask Jerry this self-same question after he sent me over a tape of these lovely songs. It's what you or I would call a settee or sofa (and just perfect for cavorting on).

Davenports in the UK are little sloping writing desks (rather a challenge to cavorters, perhaps). I presume both American and English Davenports are named originally after the furniture makers, or the place they were made ??? My (Welsh) grandma used to call her sofa a "Chesterfield" - the only time I've ever heard that used.

It's a lovely collection of songs, Jerry.

By the way, the bit of American vocabulary that amused and intrigued *my* daughter when we first got the tape was the "knickers and high cut boots" mentioned in the song "Old Blue Suit" !

- jeanie