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Singing Hikers
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Subject: Singing Hikers From: SylviaN Date: 08 Nov 06 - 05:06 AM In a town just North of Portsmouth (sounds like the start of a story, but it's just my bad memory - and more of that to come later), Keith and I heard someone (or, I should say, some two) singing a traditional song in unaccompanied harmony. We, of course, went to investigate. It turned out to be two lads who were hitch-hiking round the UK after finishing university. Singing/busking was one way they had to earn some money. Although I completely forgot (that memory thing again) to get their names, we did give them our contact details just in case they came anywhere near where we are so that we could give them a bed for the night. I know for a fact that they called in at the Lewes Arms Folk Club, so they may turn up somewhere near you. Great lads, treat them kindly. Cheers Sylvia |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: SylviaN Date: 07 Mar 07 - 04:06 PM Just thought I'd refresh this message. Anyone seen my Singing Hikers? I'd like to know how they're getting on. Cheers Sylvia |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Herga Kitty Date: 07 Mar 07 - 05:35 PM Haven't heard them, yet. Sounds interesting though! Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Joybell Date: 07 Mar 07 - 05:41 PM Will keep our ears open down here. They'd be most welcome. Cheers, Joy in the south of Aus. |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Rowan Date: 08 Mar 07 - 06:09 PM Sylvia, Your story reminded me that, many years ago I was walking through the students' union at Melbourne Uni, late on a Friday afternoon. In the middle of the concourse there were two tall blokes with backpacks looking very lost so I went over and asked if I could help. They asked whether student unions in Australia had crash pads that touring students could use. I said we didn't have anything like that and they explained they were two architecture students, from the university in Paris, touring around Australia; they'd come to Melbourne to see the Victoria Market, the Melbourne Zoo and the National Gallery of Victoria (as it was then called) and would be leaving on the Tuesday. I told them they could crash at my place as my lady and I had plenty of spare floor space and some spare sleeping gear. I also explained that the best time to visit the Vic. Market was Saturday mornings (and we routinely did our shopping there at that time, so could guide them around), Sunday was probably the best day to visit the Zoo and we could do the Gallery on the Monday. So we did, and had a great weekend of it. On the Monday however, we found the Gallery was shut; apparently it was shut every Monday, for maintenance. "C'est la vie!" I commented, although I pronounced it "Sest la vye." They pricked their ears up and asked me to explain. So I told them there were people in Australia who wanted to 'put on side' or show they were culturally superior to everyone else; these people routinely used French expressions where ther were perfectly acceptable English ones. There were other people, of whom I was one, who routinely lampooned such pretenders by mispronouncing, in Aussie English and with very ocker accents, the sorts of French expressions used by the pretenders. I gave a few examples (Bong tong, mercy buccups, etc) and finished them with the comment, "When something has gone awry and youe could say "That's life!", the poseurs would, instead, say "C'est la vie" and the mockers would say "Sest la vye!"" And if something had gone really wrong, we'd say "Sest la fu**ing vye!" Amused, they took their leave of us and continued on their way. Six months later, we received a postcard from them saying (among other things) that they'd converted the entire architecture faculty at the university into exclaiming "Sest la vye!" (with the expletive if warranted) whenever mishaps occurred. Somehow, it pleasd me that I'de been able to do my bit for the French language. Cheers, Rowan |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Joe Offer Date: 08 Mar 07 - 08:46 PM I always thought it would be charming to sing while hiking, but it reminds me too much of counting cadence to obscenities when I was in the army - and then the hike becomes a forced march to me. Most of my hikes are in rough terrain, and I think you have to keep up an even pace to sing while hiking. So, I enjoy quiet conversation instead. One time when I was on a nice, quiet hike in the Sierras, I heard what sounded like a troop of soldiers marching and counting cadence:
I still would like to have a nice singing/hiking experience someday. Maybe I can hike the Loire or the Midlands and do that. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Mar 07 - 10:31 PM Funiculi, funicula? ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: open mike Date: 08 Mar 07 - 10:51 PM i thought this thread was for sure about hiking songs Val de ri, Val de ra, Val de ri, Val de rah ha ha ha ha ha ha _______________________ Strolling along the open road Strolling along under skies of blue Strolling along the open road All in the Fall in the fall of the year.. ____________________________ |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Rowan Date: 09 Mar 07 - 12:59 AM Apart from the army experience (Australian but similar to Joe Offer's, and also to be avoided) the only times I've sung while actually walking 'with intent' have been; 1 to "Alouette", when striding out down Swanston St (Melbourne), which probably doesn't really count as "singing while hiking", and 2 to "When Johnny comes marching home". This was usually the tune and words that best fitted the need to push the legs up a long and steep hill while carrying a 60lb pack. I always sang it more or less under my breath, rather than "to" or "with" anyone, and it was more or less a "work" song. Somehow the minor key and those words didn't require much effort to sing, leaving the lungs and vocal tract able to give maximum effort to the legs and shoulders. Cheers, Rowan |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Les in Chorlton Date: 09 Mar 07 - 04:09 AM The historic thing to do would be to sing The Manchester Rambler in the Quarry above Heyfield then walk up William Clough to Kinder Scout and meet people from Sheffield, I believe. Now when did that all begin? |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: My guru always said Date: 09 Mar 07 - 04:18 AM Love your Parisienne story Rowan!! And the singing Hikers sound great, hope someone comes across them again! I regularly sing walking down the hill to work, usually with very little mouth movement when there are cars coming towards me and sometimes completely silently. The different rythms have actually helped my breathing control and I've learnt a lot of songs this way. I confess though, I never sing on the way back up the hill in the evening, its mostly puffing & panting :-) |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Grab Date: 09 Mar 07 - 11:06 AM My walking song for ages has been Chris Rea's "Auberge". As with other people though, I don't sing it, simply have it going through my head as an earworm. Cameo's "Word up" is currently doing well for jogging to keep my feet moving. Joe, have you seen "A bridge too far"? There's a classic scene in there where the Americans are rowing across the Rhine (?) under fire, all saying the Hail Mary. Graham. |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: semi-submersible Date: 09 Mar 07 - 02:15 PM A far croonin' is pullin' me away As take I wi' my cromack to the road. The far Coolins are puttin' love on me As step I wi' the sunlight for my load... Road to the Isles - such a beautiful melody. I also love The Happy Wanderer (...Val-de-ri, val-de-ra...) I always run out of wind long before the end of a song. I don't hear other hikers singing either; maybe it's running through their heads, though. Our family would sing a nameless version of Cuanto la gusta while driving, but it is far too energetic to sing when walking. |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Lonesome EJ Date: 09 Mar 07 - 04:56 PM I don't backpack as much as I used to in my early days in Colorado, but we used to sing Val-da-ree often on the downhill run. (In Colorado you always go uphill to camp and downhill back to the car). Singing while going uphill was always too much effort, especially with a full pack, tent, food, beer, etc. But coming back down the same trail, you adopt that lurching forward marching style, pack creaking, water cup dinging, and singing val-da-ree just seemed to help keep you in your rhythym. Ah those days of bright sun, rushing streams, the crisp smell of pine, the feeling of your body strong and vital, the mental clarity of high altitude! Val-da ree indeed! |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Herga Kitty Date: 09 Mar 07 - 05:12 PM Well, to return to nos moutons, and Sylvia's original query, if the Hikers called in at the Lewes Arms, Valmai or Breton Cap might remember them.... I'll just PM BC then, shall I and point him in the direction of this thread...... Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Bee Date: 09 Mar 07 - 05:47 PM I only sing while hiking when I know there are bears around. I know that no person has been harmed by a black bear in Nova Scotia since 1834 (really: I looked it up a few years back), but in spring, when they are hungry and have young cubs, and later when I'm pickin' berries and have seen sign, I see no downside to belting out whatever song comes to mind. |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Joybell Date: 09 Mar 07 - 06:37 PM Rowan's story got me thinking. I was a busker in Melbourne's main shopping-street (Bourke Street) during the 70s and 80s. Among many memorable experiences was the time a young man wearing a back-pack listened for a bit, then came over and swept me off my feet in an old-fashioned embrace. (after carefully puting my banjo down) He kissed me full on the mouth and then went on his way. Not a word. not a wave goodbye. Just a lasting golden memory. Cheers, Joy |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Herga Kitty Date: 11 Mar 07 - 09:22 AM Breton Cap says he remembers the hikers visiting the Lewes Arms "I think they were walking along the South Downs Way and then heading off towards Portsmouth." Which could explain why Sylvia met them near Portsmouth.... Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Rowan Date: 11 Mar 07 - 04:46 PM Joybell, I promise it wasn't me! |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Joybell Date: 11 Mar 07 - 05:53 PM No? Ah well! Swanston Street is a whole different ball-game. No time for romance in Swanston Street. |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Rowan Date: 11 Mar 07 - 09:39 PM "No time for romance in Swanston Street." When I was much younger (well before I thought of going up to girls and kissing them) there was one sight in Swanston St that always entranced me. Just a couple of doors up from Young and Jackson's was the Downyflake Restaurant. As a ten year old, the notion that an endless supply of doughnuts could be produced automatically was the ultimate romance. Two decades later I was thrown out of the public bar of Young and Jackson's (the Swanston St entrance) for deliberately buying a beer for a woman. That was a quite different sort of romance. But you're right, Joybell; Brack's "Collins St" could just as easily have been painted in Swanston St. Although I can't recall ever singing while hiking down Collins St. Cheers, Rowan |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: RobbieWilson Date: 12 Mar 07 - 05:52 AM A few years ago I walked the West Highland Way with some friends. Most days we marched aong to" Two little boys", by Rolf Harris. At Festivals I often hurry my kids along by stepping gaily as we go to " Marie's Wedding" |
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Subject: RE: Singing Hikers From: Joybell Date: 12 Mar 07 - 04:58 PM Downyflake Doughnuts!! I spent many an hour with my face pressed to the window watching the doughnuts fall into the oil and then the sugar. Do you know I never saw one escape!! Never a one! So scary!! Further down a little mechanical man tapped on a window -- down near where I went to the Banjo Club. Then there were all those places that sold artificial legs and noses and trusses and bedpans. I loved looking in those windows. I reckon it was those shops that lead me towards a nursing career. Trusses were a bit old-fashioned by then but I saw lots of bedpans. You're quite right Rowan -- there was that kind of romance on Swanston Street -- earlier on before the crowds and the rush and hurry. Cheers, Joy |
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