I used to learn poems that appealed to me when I was ... well, the earliest one I can date for certain was when I was 9, but I'd started before that. I still do monologues in folk clubs (or anywhere else, given half a chance).Humorous ones -- The Lion and Albert, or any of Billy Bennett's, for instance -- always go down well, but serious ones do too. Try The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God without sending it up: as a Poem it's pretty naff, but a a piece of story-telling it's terrific. Even Gunga Din -- especially Gunga Din! -- I usually "restore" the swear-words, depending where I am.

I've met a lot of folks who know hundreds of songs, but can't recite a single of of 'em if you ask for the words -- they soon give up and start singing to you. Any neurophysiologists out there got an explanation? You know many people with a stammer can sing with no trouble: that's because the two processes use separate pathways in the brain.

Steve