If they did several local clubs around here would have to close because I am unusual in that I try to remember the words to the songs I sing.

It seems to be increasingly acceptable that performers can read words/music.

I would add, if you don't know the piece, you shouldn't be performing it in public, unless you are perhaps a classical musician.

We all forget lyrics at times. But that is far more acceptable, given that many folk performers are in the short term memory loss age group now.

As Martin Carthy said when it happened top him recently, "Oh bollocks!"... and carried on with the next verse. It was a laugh all round. If he can do it we all can.

Tone