You can't Sing here

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 07:12 PM

No problems on the train: on the way out to Bridgnorth we sang exclusively railway songs, but the steward requested "What shall we do with the drunken sailor"; and a different train crew on the return journey were happy for us to sing sea songs all the way to Kidderminster.

In the station bar at Bridgnorth were 50+ Shellbacks and perhaps 6 other customers. In view of the inhospitable attitude of the relief manager (who is usually steward at the local Conservative Club, according to some locals who joined us), we all went into town and found a pub where we were welcome to sing for the tow hours before the train back.

If he'd let us stay and sing, he would have sold enough beer to pay for a year's PEL!

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 06:40 PM

Singing on a train? That needs a Public Entertainment Licence too, if the law is really being applied consistently.

In fact just one person singing on an empty train needs a Public Entertainment Licence, technically anyway. The law really is that silly.

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From: Gareth
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 06:39 PM

Possibly a set including Casey Jones, The Wreck of Old 97, and parts of the Ballard of John Axon, may not have been the best encouragement at Bridgenorth Station (SVR)

I recall a BBC TV Documentary on the Severn Valley Railway some years ago. It included a sing in by the voulenteer staff in the bar. Hmmmm!

Gareth

" The train was late, and the train was long
When she left the Buxton sidings,
The bank engine was pushing behind,
And the Driver was John Axon "

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From: John Routledge
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 06:27 PM

The singing on the train going back and in the pub all Saturday night and on Sunday afternoon provided some consolation :0)

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From: MMario
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 06:11 PM

damn shame.

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From: mack/misophist
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 06:02 PM

And I thought the US was going to hell.

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 05:59 PM

Hare's a song about all this. "A licence to sing"

And in case the blue clicky doesn't work, here is the first verse and chorus:

Well I went into a public house, and ordered up my Sbeer,
and the barman says, I'm sorry mate, you cannot sing in here.
A fellow from the council, he came on very strong,
says I haven't got the licence that will let you sing your songs.
So sing a song of freedom, sing it while you may,
rules and regulations are taking it away
So sing a song of freedom, better sing it very quiet,
If anyone joins the chorus, then a licence is required.

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From:
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 05:55 PM

Kipling, Here's one of the threads about that very thing:

Help Me Change Things in My Country

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From: Menita
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 05:03 PM

Trevor has an interesting comment in "Visitors wanting to play in the UK" about Public Entertainment Licenses.

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From: Edain
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 04:43 PM

They don't count as paradoies but on the way home today me and mum did manage to come up with some fitting songs already penned.

1) I am the man the very fat man who waters the workers beer

2) Oh Lord above, send down a dove With beak as sharp as rasors To cut the throats of them there blokes What sells bad beer to sailors

Subject: RE: You can't Sing here
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 04:23 PM

Where's Shambles?

Spaw

Subject: You can't Sing here
From: Kipling
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 04:22 PM

I was one of the Shellback Chorus members who enjoyed a 'train and ale weekend' this last weekend 22nd -24th Feb. On Saturday we descended upon the town of Bridgnorth and headed straight to 'the Station Bar' (we were already quite intoxicated) as it is known for it's range of ales.

We started to sing but the barman quite abruptly told us 'we could'nt sing'- to some that was obvious! No seriously, -he said that the pub did'nt have an 'entertainment licence' so live singing was not allowed. We consequently left the pub and they lost a lot of business. But were we entertaining anyone- apart from ourselves? (actually I found the experience quite painful!!)

This incident surely deserves a song or a parody, but has anyone encountered this before and are there ways around it? Contributions appreciated.