Sorry, I was a total sloth yesterday.

The crew on Saturday was me, Linn (Bat Goddess), Don Hale, Ernie from Newuryport, Jeri, Dianne, Ranger1, Nick Noble of "The Folk Revival" (WICN) fame and his accompanist (they had a gig in Salem, NH later) Stevem Hutch, Nicole, Justine (and energetic grandchild), Jim & Gail, and Mike. And Phyllis, Janice, and Gail came to listen and support us.

Here's what we sang (I almost forgot -- it's been so long -- to take notes!) --

1. Leave Her, Johnny, Leave Her - Don
2. West Indies Blues - Hutch
3. Eddystone Light - Nick
4. Cheerily, Man - Ernie

Here I related a story I recently read in South Fork [Long Island, NY] Cemeteries by Clement M. Healy --
"To call Capt. David Hand (1730-1802) daring is to be master of understatement. He was with Gen. George Washington at the Battles of Long Island and Trenton. As a prisoner of war during the Revolution, he escaped five times. When ordered by a British major to hitch up a team to haul a load of fodder, he refused. The major drew his sword, and Hand responded, pitchfork in his grasp, "I've fastened many a whale, and I'll fasten you too if you don't get out of here." The major replied, "Well then, I guess you and I had better be friends." In a port in South America, Hand's men and those of a Spanish ship got into a quarrel. Each captain took the side of his men, leading the Spanish officer to challenge Hand to a duel. Hand, as the challenged party, chose his weapon: a harpoon with a line attached. As he balanced the whaling iron in his hand, he turned to his second and said, "When I strike, haul in the slack." And when he turned back to face his nemesis, there was no one in sight." I think 'twould make a good subject for a song...

5. Plum Island National Anthem - Linn
6. Saucy Anna - Justine
7. Hills of Isle au Haut - Dianne
8. Rowdy Soul - Hutch
9. Mississippi Heavy Water Blues - Ernie
10. Gray, Foggy Day - Nicole
11. Bold Riley - Nick
12. Bear Away, Yankee - Jeri
13. Jamestown Homeward Bound - Don
14. Rose of Allendale - Gail F.
15. Out Along the Bay - Hutch
16. Oh, Mary Don't You Weep - Nick
17. General Taylor - Dianne
18. Sandgate Girl's Lament - Linn
19. Let the Bulgine Run - Ernie
20. Haul Away, Joe - Jim F.
21. 'Eriskay Love Lilt (Bheir me o) - Mike
22. Saltpetre Shanty - Justine
23. Lukey's Boat - Hutch
24. Grey Funnel Line - Don
25. Safely Home At Last - Dianne (Geoff Bartley song)
26. Lucy Long - Ernie
27. Storm In the Harbor - Hutch
28. If I Had the Wings of a Gull - Nicole
29. Good Morning, Ladies All - Ernie
30. That's the Ticket - Gail F.
31. River Lea - Hutch
32. South Australia - Jim F.
33. Go To Sea Once More - Dianne
34. I Am a Whalebone Cutter - Ernie
35. Roustabout (Cairo-town) - Don
36. Black Bird, Get Up - Jeri
37. Newfie In a Calgary Hat - Mike
38. Bonnie Hieland Laddie - Jim F.
39. Connemara Cradle Song - Gail F.
40. Race of Long Ago - Linn
41. Clear Away the Morning - Dianne
42. Stormalong John (Stormy Along, John) - Ernie
43. New Aberdeen Government Store - Mike
44. Won't You Go My Way? - Ernie
45. Farewell to Tarwaithie - Don
46. Boatman's Cure - Ernie
47. Seaman's Hymn - Don and the Company

There 'tis!

As usual, let me know of any corrections and additions.

See you again next month!

Linn