If I only ever sang the songs I know by heart it would be a short session. I am faced with two choices - I can either do only those songs or resort to using a lyric file to help me out. I do try to manage and gradually my known repetoire is increasing but we are still only talking a dozen or so that I'm sure of. I do try not to READ the words but merely to glance down from time to time and I would not dream of singing a song in public that I have never practised a few times first. On the occasions when I have tried that it has usually been a disaster when I realise I've run out of tune or words! That said I do not pretend to be a public performer! I go to the singarounds and join in and take my turn when it comes round. I do not do floor spots and on the odd occasion when I have taken to the stage I only sang songs that I knew. I work full time and have 5 kids to see to when I'm home so don't get a lot of time for practising or going out for that matter so when I do I want to make the most of it. I also think it is unfair to say that using a lyric sheet stops you delivering the song with feeling.