Please keep in mind that we are speaking about at least two very different things: singing, or performing, in clubs - which is apparently the UK interpretation of a song circle/singaround - and singing in a private home, which is more typical in the US.

Last night was the "First Friday" sing here in Albuquerque. About the third time around the circle I mentioned this discussion, and the very idea of discouraging the use of books was met with derision. I am not terribly fond of RUS as the be-all and end-all of sources, but some of our participants are elderly and need a memory aid. Should we say, "sorry, David, but you can't take a turn any more because you now need to read the words"? This would be the man who founded the song-circle here some 40 years ago.

It was a typical evening for us. Some people never opened a book at all, some used a book or other notes as a cue (that would be me), and some pretty much read every word. So what? We were gathered to enjoy music and each other's company, and that's exactly what we did.