Chris, I have no doubt that what you say is true, that you - like many other fine folk singers I know - can and do use your own lyric sheets, very effectively, in singarounds and song circles.

And, as I mentioned before, the ability to memorize lyrics is but one aspect of skill/intelligence and probably rather independent of others (such as vocal quality, interpretive skill, instrumental skill, etc.).



Mousethief,

You have hit the nail on the proverbial head, as is your wont.   
In the furor over [shudder] the use of books or lyric sheets, or [double shudder] any form of amplification, I often hear both rigidity and elitism.   I don't think we need either.


Don M,
Being professional and being prepared does not automatically exclude the use of sheet music or a lyric sheet or cue card.

As has been mentioned several times in this thread, no matter how many times you have practiced a song in private — perhaps doing it perfectly many times — it is still all too possible to go blank during a performance before an audience. Especially your first time. Using a song sheet does NOT imply that you have not done your homework.

Also, as some of us have mentioned, the book or song sheet is often used for the benefit of the REST of the group, not for the lead singer.   It helps the group be able to sing along.