What a great bunch of contributions to this topic. I just can't resist adding my own. :-) I've just read the whole thread but doubt I'll remember all of it. So please forgive me if .... Hey! Who threw that towel at me? It was only last summer that I was told that (at least some) Irish music makes a very firm distiction between tunes and songs. Tunes are instrumental and songs are acapella. I keep that in mind when reading some of the posts. I also think that there are circles where people 'perform' songs. These are acapella circles. This is what I think of when I read singaround or singers circle. All the other participants listen. As Peter T asked what we each imagined as a song circle. There are quite a few variations. It helps me to remember that when reading. Song circles that I have participated in are the kind where someone leads a song and everyone else joins in the chorus. (It's not 100% that way but that's the basis.) While I appreciate a wonderful song well done and admire the person that can do that I would not discourage anyone from singing regardless of skill. I do like to see that there was some preparation but there is nothing wrong with developing the song over time in the circle. I get a great thrill from seeing someone (especially the newbies) improve and gain confidence. I go to song circle because it is fun to sing and even more fun to sing with a group. Maybe I'll do a really fine job of a really terrific song some day but I'm enjoying the heck out of the journey. I'll paraphrase an earlier sentiment "It's not the use of words/cheatsheets etc.. It's the misuse of them that should be avoided." I like the concept of the crying towel. I'm not sure it can be introduced to the circle I currently attend as it would have to be done very tactfully. There is too much chance that it would be misunderstood. "Right version" -- The rules at the Nautical Song Circle in Victoria BC say that the right version is the one the leader is currently singing. A good rule if ever there was one.