What are they singing in English Pubs?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,synbyn
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 02:03 PM

Yup, I can confirm that, in Kent, hops are 'bines'. This usually means the whole length of the growth which is cut down from the wire, laid out and then put through the stripping machine in a shed to separate the flowers, which are usually female. Willow and weather- we used to do quite well in the County Championship before T20 disrupted the season because we had about a foot less rain than Old Trafford!
Bob

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 09:12 PM

When we were revisiting England last September we certainly experienced some excellent pub singing but we did do some advance planning. We enjoyed The Steamer in Fleetwood, the Stockport Folk Club, The Tap & Spile in York, and The Black Boy session in Hull. We only wish we had had more time and energy.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 09:46 AM

Barbara,

From Wkipedia: A bine is a climbing plant which climbs by its shoots growing in a helix around a support. It is distinct from a vine, which climbs using tendrils or suckers.

and:

Although frequently referred to as the hop "vine", it is technically a bine

I guess outside Kent the word "bine" isn't used much these days...in fact, with the recent loss of hop-growing acreage it's probably not used that much in Kent any more either :-(

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Barbara
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 11:27 PM

Rob, is "hops on the bine" a typo, or is a bine something I don't know about?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 03:46 PM

When my brother in law was overseas in WW2 he said that they would sing Kevin Barry in a pub as it was guaranteed to start a brawl!

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 12:20 PM

Rob
Not being English I can only comment on what I've heard in English pubs from 1960 up until 1995 ish when sadly the last Piano in this area disappeared from the last free n'easy pub, and those were the most common songs I hear, though from the early 60's a lot of Irish songs and some old country songs were sung too, and much later Beatles songs and other Golden Oldie 60's songs. I thank you for he history lessom even if I can't see it's relevance

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: harmonic miner
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 07:01 AM

Who asked you to do an English Pub Night?

Either (a) do what they expect or (b) do whatever you want. Or some combination of same.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 05:33 AM

Yep...the thread got reactivated after an inquiry about lyrics for "Man of Kent"

I'm also interested in how your gig went, Bert....and did you ever learn "Dr Syn"?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 01:01 PM

The original inquiry from Bert was a year ago... how did it go, Bert?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 09:58 AM

And still there are the "two camps". If you go to a song session in a pub there are people singing traditional (well, what I remember as trad from the 60s), and those strumming guitars playing Dylan and Beatles. With an occassional request from the bar to "Sing The Irish Rover"

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 09:04 AM

Desi C: I think that what you're remembering here as "English culture" is acollection of popular and music hall songs that were, with the exception of MOMAD, written either during or between WW1 and WW2:

My Old Man Said Follow The Van: 1912-1916?
We'll Meet Again: 1939
Roll Out The Barrel: 1934. Czech in origin!
Goodbyee: 1915
White Cliffs Of Dover:1941
My Ole Man's A dustman: 1960

Not particularly traditional! I expect at the time these songs were being sung in pubs up and down the land, largely to a piano accompaniment, the older people listening would have been decrying the replacement of unaccompanied "traditional" songs such as "Banks of the Sweet Primroses" by these raucous songs accompanied by a "nasty, loud piano".

What you've selected is a very limited subset of pub singing that was only really in vogue for 3-4 decades and which itself replaced previous traditions.

Nowadays, here is some impromptu singing in pubs, but apart from folk clubs there are loads of singarounds and sessions where a wide variety of songs are sung and played, plus "open mic" evenings where modern popular songs are often performed (just as the songs you list as "traditional" were actually 2modern popular songs" in their heydays of being performed in pubs. And that's not to mention karaoke. Lets face it, most of the songs you mention wre effectively the "karakoe of their day" with the music provided by the pub pianist, rather than the karaoke machine, and everyone singing along.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 07:22 AM

Can't remember the last time I heard any singing in English pubs, most traditional Pubs have either been closed down or an in such a bad state that they soon will be. A destruction of what little English culture remains and supported by a so called English Government who are taxing and pricing them out of existence. What music is left is on over loud Juke Boxes, when customers practise an unusual tradition of stuffing them full of money but then sit making as much noise as possible so the music can't be heard

Sorry if that's a depressing reply, but outside the folk clubs English traditional songs are rarely heard in Pubs any more. But If you mean an old style English singalong, look up tratitional pub songs on Google, songs like We'll Meet Again, Roll Out THe Barrell, Goodbyee, My Old Man Said Follow The Van, My Ole Man's A dustman, White Cliffs Of Dover, there are hundreds just lying neglected

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:46 AM

Sorry, I missed a couple of corrections to the "Man of Kent" lyrics. Here's the correct version in full:

Man of Kent by Bob Kenward

The farmer will tell of the field and the tree
For the good soil of Kent's known all over
And the traveller returning is gladdened to see
The welcoming sea cliffs of Dover

And the hops on the bine out Faversham way
And the apples in fruit around Marden
Here's health to the Darent likewise the Medway
And the Downs that surround England's garden

The Canterb'ry pilgrims once paused on their way
Beneath forest shade where they rested
Now the plough and the harvester work all the day
Where the wind blows the grass around Yalstead

Chorus

Now Maidstone's a market that's held in esteem
Where the cattle and crops are worth selling
And Faversham's brewers produce Shepherd Neame
Bringing many a tale to the telling

Chorus

It's the Medway distinguishes we Men of Kent
From the Kentish Men west of the river
But we'll meet at St Lawrence, the Nevill or Mote
To celebrate willow and weather

Chorus

There's hundreds of houses surrounding the green
But the beauty of Kent is not waning
There's still Romney Mash and old Tenterden Town
The oasts and the downland remaining

Chorus (x2)

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:20 AM

When I posted the words to "Man of Kent" above I'd just learned the song from Stuart Pendrill, who messed with the words a bit...

The correct (Kenward-penned) words are:

"welcoming white cliffs of Dover" should be "welcoming sea cliffs of Dover"

And ""celebrate willow on leather" should be "celebrate willow and weather"

Bob deliberately DIDN'T use "white" and "leather" as he felt these were too cliched.

So sorry for the slight mistakes in the previous post.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Ian Fyvie
Date: 06 May 10 - 11:29 AM

I was pleased to come across a folky pub called the Dolphin in Littlehampton on the South coast of England recently where a piano player "rehearsed" in public tuesdays and thursdays middayish onward. The pub also takes a leadung part inthe Littlhamopton Folk weekend.

Possibly the best folk is to be fould in smaller non competetive towns now rather than the metropolis.

Ian F

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 02:30 PM

Thanks for all your help everyone. We can't include all of the good ideas in one night but this is what we have on out tentative play list.

Beer, Glorious Beer   
Bless 'em all
Come Inside
Dahn the Plug'Ole
British Workman's Grave
Danny Boy
Dirty Old Town
The Fields of Athenry
It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary
I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts
Kilgarry Mountain
Knees Up, Mother Brown
Lambeth Walk
Maggie May
Maybe it's Because I'm a Londoner
My old man's a dustman
The Old Sow Song
Pub with no Beer
Putting on the Style
Ramblin` Rover
Seven Dear Old Ladies
Silicone Cindy
Size Doesn't Matter
Streets of London
Whiskey Johnny
Wild Rover
Ragland Road
This land is your land

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 03:32 AM

So tell us, Bert. What did you sing in the end and how did it go down?

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 04:11 AM

"The Standard English Bottom"
??????
tell me more, auntie.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: squeezeboxhp
Date: 11 Apr 10 - 07:54 AM

in the hunting season end of hunt sings are a regular occurence in pubs after excersising hounds all afternnon.
dido bendigo, master smith says to john,the manchester cornstalk, drink puppy drink, etc.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 06:52 PM

Have just returned from an evening when the Gloucestershire Morris entertained the locals in a pub. The songs we sang included:
The Fox, the Nutting Girl, Martin said to his man, Sweet Nightingale, Underneath the Spreading Chestnut Tree, the Keeper, Show me the way to go home, Now is the hour, When Father papered the parlour, South Australia, Kind Friends and Companians, plus a few jigs and reels and some singalong stuff (Daisy, etc).

It seemed to do the trick and the landlord thanked us all at the end.

I mention this as it seemed to me a typical English pub sing-song.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Old Vermin
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 05:53 PM

Thousands or More or anything else from the Coppers.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Gervase
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 04:55 PM

According to the labour party (fuckwits) there is "no history of singing in English pubs"!
Source? Or is this one worthy of the Daily Express?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 12:51 PM

Thanks Rob. I just listened to it. It is a great song. I'll definitely learn it.

MadauntieCat. 'Isn't it Grand' IS a cheerful song. Maybe I could follow it with 'Dahn the Plug'ole'

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,MadauntieCat
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 11:51 AM

Last Widdlesday at the Plume of Feathers (Glos UK) we had:
Gravel Walks
Dick Gossip
King of the Fairies
   The Sleeping Song
Starry Night
other jigs and reels wot I know not the names of
Ratcatcher's Daughter
   Tom o'Bedlam
    No Money, No Whiskey, No Wine
Several English morris-type accordion songs- Down in the Valley,Oats and Beans etc
Past the Point of Rescue
Nice flute solo
   Nice spanish style geetar solo
Slightly unhinged song about why Pharaohs don't rate pyramid shaped teabags, accompanied on the mandolin and garlic.


Previously and frequently we also have:
Lots of other jigs, reels and hornpipes (we have a couple of decent fiddle and bodhran players)
The Standard English Bottom
Jackson
   Bob's miserable songs with long intros (he's famous for them)
Iko Iko
Virtuoso hammer dulcimer playing (he is so talented!)
Stuff. Lots of stuff!


Good luck, Bert. It'll be a blast. Make sure you have a cheerful song to follow 'Isn't it Grand' though... ; )

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 11:13 AM

Bert:

OK, I've emailed you the chords for Doctor Syn and an MP3 of it being sung. Hope you like it enough to use it...please give credit for authorship to Bob Kenward of Kent if you do.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 10:08 AM

Just a thought - If you put @English in the search field you will get all the somgs that are tagged 'English'. I don't know how accurate the tags are but it does give you a lot of songs.

DeG

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: skipy
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 08:16 PM

According to the labour party (fuckwits) there is "no history of singing in English pubs"!
Skipy

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 08:04 PM

If its in Collorado they are probabl;y thinking of an 'old time' singalong with a piano. These hapened every friday night in ther public bars ( now extinct) of pubs in London when I was young. One still survived later when I was in leicester ( the Fox and Houinds at Anstey).
   There were of course, regional differences, but pre-war film songs, music hal numbers, and local songs predominated. The folk in US probably have their images from films set in London, so 'Roll out the barrell, Old Bull and Bush, My old man said follow the van, knocked 'em in the old kent road, any old iron, hopping down in kent, my dear old dutch etc etc would all fit.

Subject: Lyr Add: MAN OF KENT (Bob Kenward)
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 07:21 PM

Another Bob Kenward song that I like (despite Kent not being my birth county) is "Man of Kent":

Man of Kent by Bob Kenward


The farmer will tell of the field and the tree
For the good soil of Kents known all over
And the traveller returning is gladdened to see
The welcoming white cliffs of Dover

And the hops on the bine out Faversham way
And the apples in fruit around Marden
Here's health to the Darent likewise the Medway
And the Downs that surround England's garden

The Canterb'ry pilgrims once walked on their way
And beneath forest shade where they rested
Now the plough and the harvester work all the day
Where the wind blows the grass around Yalstead

Chorus

Now Maidstone's a market that's held in esteem
Where the cattle and crops are worth selling
And Faversham's brewers produce Shepherd Neame
Bringing many a tale to the telling

Chorus

It's the Medway that distinguishes we Men of Kent
From the Kentish Men west of the river
But we'll meet at St Lawrence, the Nevill or Mote
To celebrate willow on leather

Chorus

Though there's hundreds of houses around New Ash Green
But the beauty of Kent is not waning
There's still Romney Mash and old Tenterden Town
The oasts and the downland remaining

Chorus (x2)

Subject: Lyr Add: DR SYN (Bob Kenward)
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 05:43 PM

Bert, I have the lyrics here:

Dr Syn, by Bob Kenward


As I walked out on Romney Marsh one evening in July
I heard the Hawthorn crack; I swear and quiet footsteps stealing by
I hurried by without a glance as wiser men will do
And then did meet a customs man who rapidly his pistol drew

And where are you going to?
And where is it that you have been?
You cannot pass this way tonight
We're looking out for Doctor Syn

I did not lie, but told to him that nothing had I seen
And down the road he strode alone by open dykes and rushes green
Near Dymchurch did I turn to watch the sun set o'er the town
Beyond the sea wall waves did lap and oars cut water without sound

CHORUS

The night was still and moonless as down I lay to sleep
No sound was there but seagull cries or sudden silence mongst the sheep
Then slow the moon rose on the land fresher blew sea wind
At once a single shot I heard and distant cries of desperate men

CHORUS

Along the road there quickly sped a stumbling man in haste
And faster on those footsteps pressed the smuggling men in deadly chase
The rind moon gleamed with sharpest edge sea wind died to calm
Then only dyke reeds whisp-er-ed and dark waters washed away alarm

CHORUS

Cold dew of dawn lay on the grass before I did dare rise
Expecting then that I should see a silenced man before my eyes
No one walks the marsh at night bound unto Hythe from Rye
Without the dyke reeds whispering while quite waters make reply

_____________________________

I'll get the tune for you asap...it's a good one for everyone to sing along to the chorus. Bob's written loads of good songs about Kent...but this it my favourite, I think. Very atmospheric, as the tune suits the subject very well.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 04:54 PM

I can get them!

Watch this space.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 04:51 PM

Rob,

Do you have words and music for Doctor Syn?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 12:22 PM

Bert, I've enjoyed this thread hugely so far, and will enjoy hearing what you fix on for your gig. And it'll be interesting to hear about your audiences responses to your choices!

Otherwise, I'd say don't sweat it. Sounds like you've got enough old classic British pub numbers under your belt to give your punters exactly what they'll be wanting! :-)

Mind you, you refreshing this thread has made me think on a few more....

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 12:16 PM

Thanks, loads of good suggestions and comments. Just what I needed to prepare a song list.

When the date is finalized I'll let you know.

Bert.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:28 PM

Well the end bit of Lassie from Lancashire seems to be used at the end of the Irish National Anthem!

Most 'general' audiences are not sufficiently musically aware of what songs are available in any particular genre. I would concentrate on what people would find entertaining, amusing songs, songs with easy choruses to join in on.

Last week in Donegal the American visitors were asked what songs/tunes they would like. So it was The Wild Rover and the Irish Washerwoman, either of which the guys running the session would have happily paid not to play, at least judging by the looks we got from them. So are there any songs that Americans would automatically expect in an English context? Think Hollywood! Roll out the barrel? Down at the Old Bull and Bush? You might have to do them.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 05:51 PM

Lots of suggestions in the above, but if it is an English pub evening, I would suggest trying to stick to English songs. There are plenty of songs to pick from, but to be 'authentic', stick to English. I think that a Colorado audience will not be impressed with hearing American songs at an English evening (however good those songs might be). If I was doing an all English evening, I would have to leave out songs like Daisy Daisy and Grandfather's Clock, beloved of English pubgoers but written by Americans. By the same token, if I was asked to do an Irish evening, I wouldn't sing Fathom the Bowl or Lassie from Lancashire.

Feel free to disagree.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Paul Reade
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 12:24 PM

The rate English pubs are closing down, we'll soon be lucky to find one to drink in, never mind sing.

Still, we can always go to Colorado Springs!

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,Jon a guest
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:52 AM

They don't sing in English pubs, and haven't done for quite a while...unless they're folkies and have either a) a dedicated room or b) a dedicated night in the bar. Or that Chas and/or Dave live around the corner. Unless YOU know different... I suspect any 'Irish' pubs might burst spontaneously into song though.

It's difficult to sing in an English pub against the piped music (ironic that it's not the music they don't like...just the non-electronic commercial kind) let alone finding a place to sit amongst the Brake Brothers dinners and the shouting of "Number four - who ordered the pancetta-wrapped Lord Ballad".

Sad to say but singarounds don't really do it for me any more. There was something rather special when (years ago, of course) someone stood up and sang something amidst the noise and smoke which actually captured peoples imagination, and without any 'shushhing', quiet descended on the room and a round of applause followed the song. Mind you, the singer and the song had to be bloody special.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:28 AM

At the last session I went to we had (among others):

- Merry Little Hop
- Golden Vanity
- Spanish Ladies
- Band Played Waltzing Matilda
- Brighton Camp
- Curly Headed Ploughboy
- Brighton (Parody of Art G's "Bright Eyes")
- Doctor Syn
- Those Were The Days (as a fiddle/ guitar duet)
- The Yorkshire Couple (AKA Dog and Gun)
- And a couple of shantys (chanteys?) in 5/4 time that I can't remember the names of

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:22 AM

Give us a night down The Beech, Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester. First and third Wednesdays - Sog my butnet - ( Songs mostly bt not exclusively traditional). Beginners Tunes last Tuesday

chher
L in C

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:13 AM

Cynic? Me? Never! :-)

You are quite right of course, Ian. Bit of over exaguration. Apart from the PRS bit - Most pubs do have a PRS licence but that is for the jukebox and/or radio. Wait until they find out you have live music!

...and I need to come and show you how a proper drunk should behave. I'll soon change your mind about part of the community :-D

"Gi'us Boheemiouth rapshoddy..."

DeG

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:06 AM

Though I wouldn't say it's by any means how it should be, the legal situation is hardly how it's represented by the cynics among us (and I don't think people do us too many favours by over-egging the pudding in this respect).

All our local pubs are licensed for music & dancing and the village pubs are licensed for the mummers play (though God help us if we try it outside the village but I expect the LA would turn a blind eye as they did before the new licensing laws).

The pubs also all pay a PRS license anyway.

As for drunks, we don't have stages - ours are mainly participatory things - and the drunks are generally respectful. They might give you a bit of a heckle, but they too are part of the community.

:-)

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:26 AM

BTW - If you want to do it properly make sure you have filled in all forms, in triplicate, and sent them to the local counceil for approval by the live performance comittee who meet on the third Wednesday of every month with an 'X' in it. Get the HSE to check out the premises to make sure no-one can sprain a larynx or break a fingernail. Pay the ransom to the PRS mafia for playing songs that no-one ever gets any money for and, finaly, have a drunk standing in front of the stage demanding something by the Stranglers until he either gets thrown out or throws up all over your shoes.

We need authenticity in these things after all!

:D (eG)

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 04:28 AM

Perhaps more importantly, if you want to get a feel for what's going on "in the round" you might ask what's going on in the 3 pubs in my village. Here's my answer.

1. The Rose & Crown
This is the "village pub". There's a regular monthly acoustic session ... songs and tunes (mostly what could be described as "folk") ... it's the venue for quite a few events (darts/dominoes/cribbage competitions, conkers contests, sloe gin competitions etc.) as well as hosting local rock bands occasionally despite the bar areas being quite small. The mummers practise here in season and usually sing a few songs and there are occasional "impromptu" (i.e. completely unplanned) sessions where people either just sing or maybe go back home and get their instruments.

2. The Bushel & Strike
Till recently, the Bushel was the main venue for live music, having a large room out back which is ideal for a small concert hall. There were monthly concerts till last November (these may start up again this year) and there was a weekly "open mike" (very eclectic) until a year or so ago. The pub's a bit in decline at the moment, but the summer will probably see more activity.

3. The Three Tuns
Since the new landlord arrived in October, there have been weekly concerts on a Friday night. A mixed bunch of musicians ... bands, singer-songwriters playing guitar or keyboard, duos. Not much else musically, but they have other events like quiz nights. It's not entirely unheard of to have spontaneous singing occur in this (or either of the other) pubs but it's difficult to predict when this will happen as it's spontaneous.

Obviously, in a village, there are other things which run across these boundaries ... the local morris teams visit the pubs once or twice a year and perform at local events (e.g. Ashwell At Home, Ashwell Show). The local sword dancers visit occasionally and the village mummers perform in the pubs at Christmas (and sometimes Easter). There are also 4 or 5 bands in the village ... mainly 60s/70s/80s rock, but a couple do acoustic sessions and there is an acoustic "folk" band and, if it's still going, a ceilidh band.

For reference, the next village has only one pub but it also has a monthly session and other related activity.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: alanww
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 04:18 AM

Hello Bert
The songs I have sung in pubs over the last month are:-

My Grandfather's Clock; Leaving of Liverpool; Country Life (I Like to Rise); Lamorna; Rio Grande; Lark in the Clear Air; April Morning; Row On; Sweet Thyme; Rosabelle; John Kanaka; Roll Alabama Roll; Water is Wide; Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire; Shawnee Town; Limehouse Reach; Saucy Sailor; Bright Fine Gold; Banana Boat Song; Shallow Brown; Fathom the Bowl; Grey Funnel Line; British Grenadiers; You Are My Sunshine; Over the Hills and Far Away; Johnson Girls; and, Paddy Lay Back.

Is that enough variety to convince you that anythings goes? (But not too many wrist slashers!)
"... give an ear to my song!"
Alan

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 03:36 AM

So ... 1 in 20 would be "rare" would it?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bugsy
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 07:41 PM

Bert,

I've noticed a lot of posts with folkie and pop/rock songs of the 60's etc as suggetions for your evening.

THe selection of songs on my earlier post were in refernece to your first post. What a "US" audience would consider as an English pub music night.
Living in the US you would be well aquainted with the popular stereotype of the "Brit" "Pom" OR "Limey" and I think that most probably the same would go for the "Pub Music", if you get my meaning.

That said, I'm sure you could slip in the odd Streets of London, and Black Velvet band.

Oh and don't forget "I'm Getting Married in the Morning"

Once again, Good luck with the gig!

CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Weasel
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 06:51 PM

Last time I heard singing in an English pub that wasn't on an organised singing night must have been about thirty years ago. (That's not to say that impromptu sessions don't happen, but they seem to avoid them when I'm around.)

Cheers,

Weasel

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Gervase
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 06:06 PM

Sssh! You'll break the spell...

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 01:48 PM

And what was going on in the nearest 20 pubs to where you were I wonder Ian?