Good A Capella Chorus Songs

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Frankham
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 12:30 PM

Barbara,
There are certain songs that really call for acapella choral singing.

Bright Morning Stars is an example from the Ozarks. Sandy has mentioned shape-note hymns. Wild Mountain Thyme of course but there is a world of choral folk music out there. Check out Pete Seeger's wonderful little record of "The Songswappers" that have South African Zulu rounds such as Soma Gwaza, Bayeza, Wimoweh and more. There are Bulgarian tunes, (Theodora is Dozing) from Phillip Koutev's Music From Bulgaria, Russian folk tunes (Pianitsky Chorus or Red Army Chorus for example) and many Slavic tunes. Indian and Asian tunes lend themselves to unison singing acapella quite well. South Pacific tunes such as Deep Blue Sea and Bahamian and Carribean tunes lend themselves well. Check out Olive Walker (Tie Me Coverlet Down) if you can still find this record in print.

Here's some to consider.

Bright Morning Stars
Steal Away
Most any Sea Chantey
Chain Gang Songs
Gospel Quartet Songs (Golden Gate Quartet...Pilgrim Travelers etc.)
Kumbaya is good for choral singing
Amazing Grace

If I think of more, I'll submit 'em.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: GUEST,The O'Meara
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 11:50 AM

Whoops, almost forgot the biggest hit of the 1830's: ("What do you do with a) Drunken sailor"

O'Meara

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Gurney
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 04:54 AM

That good singers can pick up...

Clemantine, to the tune of 'Bread of Heaven.'

Janis Joplin's 'Mercedes Benz,' with the first verse as chorus.

Tawney's 'Grey Funnel Line'

Most of my other favourites have been mentioned.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: sharyn
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 11:58 PM

Home, Lads, Home (that Ricky sings)
Who Built This House (Carol Denney)
Turning Steel (as sung by Dick Holdstock)
Dumbarton's Drums (courtesy of Arlene)
Ca' the Yowes Tae the Knowes
Wild Rover (the Out of the Rain version, not the usual pub slop)
The Punch and Judy Song
(Walk Around, Me Brave Boys and)Roll Down
The Old Grey Duck (from Lani)

Many more, I'm sure. Oh -- "Row On"

See you at Singtime, I hope.

Cheers! Sharyn

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Genie
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 09:22 PM

A great a capella song (with two distinct parts that can be superimposed) is Belafonte's "We Come From The Mountain."

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: curmudgeon
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:37 PM

We Shall Not Be Moved
Roll The Union On
Solidarity Forever

These always work in our sessions -- Tom

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: GUEST,The O'Meara
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:07 PM

Here's a couple you might consider: Vive la Compagnie,(or Vive l'amor, I never could spell in French,) and Sam Hall. Sam Hall's a real sing-along foot stomper. I used it as a lullaby when the kids were small. My ex-wife hated it. (There's probably a lesson in there somewhere) Both are excellent a capella.

Somebody mentioned The Patriot Game, and it's a fine tune, but doesn't have a chorus and when there's no chorus people in the crowd tend to take it as a call for creativity. Winds up sounding like...well, use your imagination.

O'Meara

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:04 PM

The group joins in with the chorus only of 'Sing with the Angels'. They've come up with some great harmonies.

We do Mingulay a capella. The singing group I meet with is fond of chanteys and at this point Mingulay is a great favorite.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Genie
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 05:28 PM

I had a whole list - then I remembered the specification of "a capella," so I chucked a lot of them, which I think, like some of Rick F's, really sound a whole lot better with guitars, banjos, etc., behind them to help keep the strong rhythm.

(I'm trying to 'hear' "Sing With The Angels" as an a capella group song, and I keep 'hearing' it dragging.)

Wild Mountain Thyme, though, would sound good a capella, I think.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Genie
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 05:19 PM

One that keeps running through my head (especially since I got my Mudcat CDs) is Mingulay Boat Song.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 04:46 PM

From the Mudcat CDs, here are some choruses that fit in admirably:

In this Harvey Andrews song, instead of singing/teaching the whole song I usually sing the chorus with a lead in:

And my life would not have been complete, if it wasn't for the songs-Songs to make you dance and sing
Songs to make you sigh
Songs to make you laugh, or bring
A tear to your eye


Then there's Sandy Paton's:

This is a song for all the good people,
All the good people who've touched up my life
This is a song for all the good people,
People I'm thankin' my stars for tonight

Kendall Morse's recording of Rollin' Home to Old New England is a great group pleaser, with a rollicking chorus:

Rollin' home, rollin' home,
Rollin' home across the sea
Rollin' home to old New England
Rollin' home, dear land, to thee

And Rick Fielding's song is a wonderful one to teach when it's time for a new gospel song:

I'm gonna sing with the angels when my time comes around
This earth is just rehearsal for when I'm heaven bound
And I'll be well prepared to take my place with harmony and rhyme
And sing with the angels when it's time

Also from Rick, one of my favorite choruses:

Be well, be safe, be kind, be strong
For the times will test us sore
And to gladden our hearts, our bodies, our souls
Be here when we gather once more
Oh, be here when we gather once more

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: GUEST,Geordie
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 02:05 PM

Hard Times (Foster one) Long Time Gone, Diamonds in the Rough, Lili Marlene,Bold Dockerty, The Patriot Game, Parcel of Rogues, Cadwith Anthem, Brave Wolf, Little Beggerman, . Our wee group does the Kate Bush song; "Army Dreamers" a capella..it is really quite a lovely song. We try to do some unusual ones..Bob Dylan's Oxford Town. Cat Stevens Longer Boats. It is just fun to try to see what works and there are always some pleasant surprises.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 12:47 PM

Most of the songs on Johnny Collins CD's are good chorus stuff. "When all men sing" is one of my favourites, Johnny sings only other peoples songs, so my appologies to the people who wrote it, I just rememmber there was more than one name, it's in DT I think. Some of the Keith Marsden songs he does have great choruses too.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Micca
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 08:22 AM

Two Brill ones (sung at Portaferry) Sunday by a few assorted Mudcatters,! "Blessed Quietness" and "John Ball" Both in the DT

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: JohnnyBeezer
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 07:07 AM

When we were at college (In the pub) my friends and I had roaring good times singing 3/4 part harmonies to Young Tradition, Watersons tracks etc.
What about:
DIDO BENDIGO
POVERTY KNOCK
INNOCENT HARE
STORMALONG JOHN
WEARY WHALING GROUNDS
QUEENSLAND DROVER
RYBUCK SHEARER
CLICK GO THE SHEARS
NINE INCH NAILS

Oh the memories, the memories. We still sing some of these songs now,
they really get the blood rushing!
Johnny N

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Jeanie
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 02:52 AM

Two that immediately spring to mind, not been mentioned yet are
Martin Said to His Man (Who's the fool now)
Cadgwith Anthem
both here in the DT. Two real roof-raisers - and there's nothing like a roomful of people raising the roof !

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Genie
Date: 04 Mar 03 - 12:53 AM

How about Iko, Iko?

Genie

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Dunkle
Date: 03 Mar 03 - 08:49 PM

Here's a version of Siyahamba that I just found online: take a listen...

http://www.waltonmusic.com/Sound3/siyahamba/

http://www.waltonmusic.com/Sound3/siyahamba/

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Barbara
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 03:03 PM

Bill D, I don't know that I've ever heard that. Not those words. Any way I could find a tune? Is it one of those that belongs to something else, too?
And Animaterra, it was a Nonesuch recording H72013. Peter Siegel and Jody Stecher. And it's the Pindar Family accompanied by Joseph Spence.
Horn of the Hunter is on Turning Toward the Morning (1975), and who are these young punks in the pictures anyway? I'll give it a spin later and see whats the tune.
See, I finally found the record collection. Now, where is the 45 converter?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 03:01 PM

The Real Bahamas is (was) a Nonesuch recording, and the material was recorded in the field by Jody Stecher and Peter Siegel. Wonderful music, highly recommended!

One of my favorite "ironic" stories: Caroline and I did a "gig from Heaven" some years ago -- a program and a workshop in the Bahamas which gave us aairfare and a week of hospitality as an extra perk. We stayed with an English couple who complained that there was no "folk music" in the Bahamas. What they meant was that Joan Baez didn't go there to do concerts. I suggested that they might explore the music of the islands, recording traditional songs. "How could we ever find it?" they asked. "Why not start with the black Bahamian churches?" says I. "But how do we find one where we could be accepted?" they asked again. At this point, Caroline went out to their kitchen where there maid, Nora, was washing dishes. A moment later Nora came back with her. "My son is a minister in a 'jumper' church. You could go there," she suggested. We called him, were invited to attend, of course, and given permission to record the service. Altogether a memorable experience. We had to come home, and I have no follow-up to the story, I'm afraid. The English couple moved to the Caymans and we sort of lost touch. But there it is... folk music can be found all around us. We just have to look for it.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 12:53 PM

one of THE best chorus songs to join and bellow harmony... LET UNION BE IN ALL OUR HEARTS. The tune is not in the data base, but I imagine you have heard it..

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Barbara
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 12:05 PM

It's a Folkways record, and I think the label is no longer extant. The songs were collected by Jodie Stecher and, I think, Joe Hickerson. I'll double check this later when I'm back in the house.
And yes, Bert, you're right, one group's "Noooo, please, not that again" is another group's "Wow, neat song, where'd you find it?"
I first sang "The (Fond Tale of the)Sweet Nightingale" in the pub with great trepidation, because it was done to death in another club I sang with. No one in the Portland crowd even KNEW it.
Or when I was a part of an Irish band here, the lead guitarist came in with an song he'd found in this old book of "Irish" songs from the turn of the century and wanted to do it. Can you guess?
It was "When You and I Were Young, Maggie". He'd never heard of it before, and we worked it up, and it was a big hit with the over 70 crowd.
I love the Seamen's Hymn but I don't sing it often because it doesn't really have a chorus. You can, however just sing the whole thing twice.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 11:29 AM

Who made "the Real Bahamas"? I first learned "I bid you goodnight" from a real Bahamaian, never knew that everyone from Bill Staines to the Grateful Dead had recorded it. It is a great song!

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: robd
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 11:27 AM

Sailor's Prayer, Gordon Bok & Co., on All Shall Be Well Again

And I like Sailor's Hymn, and I apologise if it has been overused in your district, but to folks where I am now, it's new and fresh, and one of the best songs that meets Barbara's criteria. It's the one that goes

May the Lord put an end to all of our wars
And bring peace and contentment to all our brave tars

We also love "Marnie" aka "Come Fare Away"

rob

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Bert
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 10:33 AM

Barbara,

I hate to say this but you might try looking through the "Folksongs to Ditch" thread. Lots of good stuff in there. The only fault with them is overexposure.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Barbara
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 10:23 AM

Would you believe, Sandy, that I HAVE The Real Bahamas and sing "I Bid You Goodnight" tho not with the same style that the Spence family does. You are right, it is a great song. And there are a lot of wonderful things on Sharon Mt.Harmony. I keep thinking I'll learn "Turtle Dove Done Drooped His Wings.
Sandy, on "the Horn of the Hunter", does the same tune just cycle every two lines, with A and B endings? Or is the verse different from the chorus?
The folks I sing harmony with these days, a lot of them are not very big on anything that even vaguely smacks of religion, unfortunately. (It's a pub sing). Can do 'Drive Dull Care Away", maybe, no closer tho.
MusicMan, someone just gave me a transcription of that African song. I'll get it out and play it. Also the Freedom Africa song is a good rouser, and Azekatarle, if that's how you spell it.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: alison
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 08:38 AM

Yes thanks Musicman.....

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Musicman
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 01:45 AM

I just remembered another good group song, African, called Siyahamba. English translation "We are marching (in the light of God)" VERY rhythmical.....

paul

Alison, did you find Lambeth walk posted? I think I did it right!!

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 15 Jan 99 - 01:19 AM

For all the kind words, thanks. I'd like to learn how to use that MUSABC, or whatever, but I suspect that one may have to read music to do it, and I don't.

There are so many great chorus songs it's hard to know where to start. I think of all the glorious hymns on Sharon Mountain Harmony, our (cassette only, I'm sorry to say) recording of Lucy Simpson, Rock Creek, Wally Macnow, and the Amidons. And there are many other fine collections of hymns available. For those of us with only one navel, I recall Helen Bonchek Schneyer saying "I think of them as love songs." Then I think of all the songs Joe Hickerson leads on each of his three Folk-Legacy cassettes. I think of Ed Trickett's solo recordings, too, as well as those he shared with Ann Mayo Muir and Gordon Bok.

I'll have to go back abd check which recording includes "The Horn of the Hunter," Barbara. Not tonight, though. I'm too lazy to go downstairs. What about that gem from The Real Bahamas, "And I Bid You Goodnight." One of the finest chorus songs extant! More on this thread later.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Susan A-R
Date: 14 Jan 99 - 11:06 PM

Don't forget some of that wonderful South African material , or some of that Georgia Sea Islands stuff. I don't know enough of it to send it along, (any suggestions out there for good recordings??) but I know that when I've heard it and sung it at singing parties, it's been lively, pretty straight forward to leearn (even in parts) and lots of fun.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Barbara
Date: 14 Jan 99 - 07:54 PM

Thanks all for many good suggestions. Lot of things I've just forgotten about over the last 35 or 40 years of singing.
Thanks John of Brisbane for the posting, welcome to the wonderful world of little red number initiates. Maybe Joe will offer you a tape. (or did you mean you never tried to write one out in ABC before?
Bert, while looking up "John Peel" I was reminded of the "Horn of The Hunter" another wonderful harmony singing song, that maybe I can post a tune for. It's about John Peel. Check it out. And Sandy, when he finds this, can tell us WHICH Bok/Trickett/Muir recording it's on.
We're gonna have to get that guy to learn how to post tunes.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: BBJfla
Date: 13 Jan 99 - 02:49 PM

"Follow the Drinking Gourd" comes out well acapella, with a little hand clapping in the background.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: alison
Date: 13 Jan 99 - 08:55 AM

Hi Paul,

post the words here so everyone can benefit. If you can't figure out how to use the MIDItxt program (you've probably seen the red gibberish in other threads)send me the MIDI and I'll post it. ([e-mail])

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 13 Jan 99 - 03:57 AM

Lambeth is a district of London. The Lambeth Walk is from a show called "Me and My Girl", from the 20s, I think, about a chirpy cockney lad who one day finds he's inherited a dukedom. Music Hall star Lupino Lane was in the original; he was well known for doing back flips from a standing start in his act. The sheet music I've got has instructions for doing the Lambeth Walk (back flips optional!).

The Lambton Worm is from up in the norh-east of England. There's still a Lord Lambton. (Is he married to photographer and tv personality Lucinda Lambton?) They can prpbably both do the Lambeth Walk ...

Steve

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Musicman
Date: 13 Jan 99 - 01:52 AM

Barbara,

Lambeth Walk is a song from the war years in England (I think). A lady that lives in an Extended care in the hospital I sing in is from England. She told me once near the end of the war seeing the "King and Queen come on the telly" and sing the Lambeth Walk.

Lambeth Walk is a place in England, a street or something, London I think. I could find out unless anybody else knows, Anyway, I can get you words, melody chords, How do you want it, words & midi, or faxed? Send me an email to send the file too or a fax number. Let me know @ [e-mail]

Paul

PS, I don't know the dance very well!!

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Barbara
Date: 13 Jan 99 - 01:10 AM

And Sandy's right. I've been listening to Vol 2 of the set, and enjoying it since I bought it last month. I had it before as a record along with Vol 1, and listened to Vol.1 more.
Ever notice how we participate in this universal lending library system, where things pass from and into our possession on a regular basis without our ever noticing HOW?
Is that where I heard Sara Grey sing Over the Water to Charlie, too, Sandy?
NICE harmonies. Maybe I'll go back and find the words to Julianna again. I used to sing that. Thanks, Sandy.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 09:27 PM

Few Days; Workin' on the New Railroad; Jute Mill Song; Captain Kidd (mentioned before?); World of Misery (making a new adventure out of Shenandoah); Sam's Gone Away; Ginny's Gone to Ohio; Fare You Well, Juliana; and a bunch more. Crass commercial: all can be heard on the New Golden Ring's Five Days Singing, Volumes 1 & 2, or on the original Golden Ring.) The whole purpose of these recordings, now CDs, was to encourage the singing and sharing of good songs with friends and family.

Sandy

Subject: Tune Add: JACK IN THE GREEN
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 09:09 PM

Here's the more conventional posting for the tune.

Regards
John

MIDI file: jack_in_.mid

Timebase: 192

TimeSig: 3/4 24 8
Key: Bb
Tempo: 160 (375000 microsec/crotchet)
Text: Produced by Abcmus 1.0
Name: Jack In The Green
Start
0384 1 62 064 0192 0 62 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 65 064 0192 0 65 000 0000 1 62 064 0192 0 62 000 0000 1 62 064 0192 0 62 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0096 0 67 000 0000 1 65 064 0096 0 65 000 0000 1 67 064 0096 0 67 000 0000 1 69 064 0096 0 69 000 0000 1 69 064 0384 0 69 000 0000 1 69 064 0096 0 69 000 0000 1 72 064 0096 0 72 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 65 064 0192 0 65 000 0000 1 62 064 0192 0 62 000 0000 1 60 064 0192 0 60 000 0000 1 62 064 0192 0 62 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 65 064 0096 0 65 000 0000 1 67 064 0096 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0384 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0096 0 67 000 0000 1 69 064 0096 0 69 000 0000 1 70 064 0192 0 70 000 0000 1 70 064 0192 0 70 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 70 064 0384 0 70 000 0000 1 70 064 0096 0 70 000 0000 1 72 064 0096 0 72 000 0000 1 74 064 0192 0 74 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 69 064 0192 0 69 000 0000 1 70 064 0096 0 70 000 0000 1 69 064 0096 0 69 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 65 064 0192 0 65 000 0000 1 62 064 0192 0 62 000 0000 1 60 064 0192 0 60 000 0000 1 62 064 0192 0 62 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 65 064 0096 0 65 000 0000 1 67 064 0096 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0576 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 65 064 0096 0 65 000 0000 1 67 064 0096 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0576 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 65 064 0192 0 65 000 0000 1 65 064 0064 0 65 000 0000 1 67 064 0064 0 67 000 0000 1 69 064 0064 0 69 000 0000 1 69 064 0384 0 69 000 0000 1 69 064 0096 0 69 000 0000 1 70 064 0096 0 70 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 65 064 0192 0 65 000 0000 1 62 064 0192 0 62 000 0000 1 60 064 0192 0 60 000 0000 1 62 064 0192 0 62 000 0000 1 67 064 0192 0 67 000 0000 1 65 064 0096 0 65 000 0000 1 67 064 0096 0 67 000 0000 1 67 064 0384 0 67 000
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:Jack In The Green
M:3/4
Q:1/4=160
K:Bb
D6|G2G2G2|F2D2D2|G2GFGA|A4Ac|G2G2G2|F2D2C2|
D2G2FG|G4GA|B2B2G2|B4Bc|d2G2G2|G2A2BA|G2G2G2|
F2D2C2|D2G2FG|G6|G2G2FG|G6|G2F2F3/4G/2A3/4|
A4AB|G2G2G2|F2D2C2|D2G2FG|G4||

Subject: Tune Add: JACK IN THE GREEN
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 07:30 PM

Tadaaaaaaaaaah! This is my inaugural posting of a tune notated using abc. More on this subject anon, but I reckon that this process is pretty easy to learn. Joe, Mick and I are looking into some user friendly instructions.

Regards
John

T:Jack In The Green K:Bb M:3/4 D2|G2G2G2|F2D2D2|G2GFGA|A4Ac|G2G2G2| F2D2C2|D2G2FG|G4GA|B2B2G2|B4Bc|d2G2G2| G2A2BA|G2G2G2|F2D2C2|D2G2FG|G6|G2G2FG| G6|G2F2F2/3G2/3A2/3|A4AB|G2G2G2|F2D2C2|D2G2FG|G4|

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: alison
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 07:26 PM

If you go down Lambeth way
On a ?? ?? day
You'll find us all
Doing the Lambeth walk
OI !!!

Nothing to do with the Lambeth worm....... I can't remember any more of it but I can put the tune in if you're really interested.

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Bert
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 04:25 PM

Here's a few of the titles from an old YHA Songbook

A-Roving
Blow the Man Down
Bobby Shaftoe
Cockles & Mussels
Come Lasses and Lads
Coming through the Rye
Early one Morning
Eriskay Love lilt
Goodnight Ladies
Green Grow the rushes Oh
Ilkla Moor
John Peel
Lincolnshire Poacher
Little Brown Jug
The Mermaid
The Minstrel Boy
My Bonnie
One more river to cross
Oh! No John!
Road to the Isles
Shenandoah
Strawberry Fair
Waltzing Matilda
Westering Home
Drunken Sailor
Whiskey Johnny
Widdecombe Fair
Woad

Bert.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Animaterra
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 01:48 PM

Thanks, Barbara and Barry- I've read the instructions but I still can't figure out how to post tunes! Jack in the Green is the name of our local men's morris team, and we do love to sing it- and sing it, and sing it. It's sorta become our "Wild Mtn Thyme"...

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Barbara
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 12:23 PM

thanks for the website, Barry, and I'll post the tune here later.
Musicman, have you got words or tune for Lambeth walk? You've piqued my curiousity. It isn't related to the Lambeth worm is it?
Lots of good suggestions here, tunes I'd forgotten about, or haven't sung in years.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Barry Finn
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 11:39 AM

Sorry, I meant to also say that I was always lead to believe that this was a traditional song until Sandy droped that clue. It certainly seems to have become a part of the many songs included in the traditional repertoire of alot of singers & for a song so young. Barry

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Barry Finn
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 11:29 AM

Hi Barbara & Alison, mention of Jack In The Green came up recently in a thread, I 'd been singing it (different from how it was written) for years & Sandy mentioned he thought it was by someone Graebe, I found Martin Graebe's web site with words & music (can't read it myself) he also has quite a bit on Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould. Below is his song (sorry can't do links). Barry

http://www.btinternet.com/~greenjack/

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: alison
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 07:18 AM

Hi Barbara,

I'd put it in if I knew the tune...... so if anyone has a GIF file or a Real audio...... send them my way please.

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 02:02 AM

You want something different? Try Nobody's Moggie Now, and everyone will have fun.

The Flying Pickets did a song attributed to Bruce Springsteen? called The Working Life, which sounded to me as close to a folk song as you'd want to find. A fabulous song for a capella. Lyrics start something like ..Early in the morning factory whistle blows...

Regards
John

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Barbara
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 01:39 AM

Say Allison, can you post tunes? D'you have a way to put out Jack in the Green?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Musicman
Date: 12 Jan 99 - 01:38 AM

THere's the Stan Rogers favorite, "Barrets Privateers" of course.

A Good fun pub song for those who might know it is "Lambeth Walk" Oi!!

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From:
Date: 11 Jan 99 - 10:45 PM

Most of the Sea Shanties would be good for that. Also, one of the old spirituals, Roll the Old Chariot Along.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From:
Date: 11 Jan 99 - 10:35 PM

Donkey Riding is the version I prefer over Hieland Laddie. I think they came up with the Hieland Laddy version because someone didn't know what to what the donkey riding was making reference.

Northwest Passage; Whiskey O Johnny O; Pleasant and Delightful; Congo River. Actually, any number of sea shanties. Some Scottish gaelic songs sound very nice this way too, but unfortunately I haven't a clue what they are singing about.

Also French Canadian Voyageur songs, which like sea shanties are work songs, meant to be sung while paddling your big canoe.

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Animaterra
Date: 11 Jan 99 - 09:54 PM

Jack in the Green, To drive dull care away, Let union be, Julian of Norwich, Rise up Jock, Shake these bones, Waltzing with bears, Hard times come again no more, Going down the valley... haven't checked the DT for any of these but I'll bet they're there!

Subject: RE: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: jeffs
Date: 11 Jan 99 - 09:26 PM

hmmm... there's shanties Bully in the Alley Rolling down to old Maui Hieland Laddie White Collar Holler

there's spirituals Honey in the Rock Swing Low Sweet Chariot Down by the Riverside

jeff

Subject: Good A Capella Chorus Songs
From: Barbara
Date: 11 Jan 99 - 08:30 PM

I'm looking for a few good songs, ones that have the kind of chorus good singers can pick up and run with. Not too slow, not too repetitious, ones everyone can get into yet not the ones we've sung a thousand times already like Wild Mountain Thyme or Sportsmen Arouse.
Here's a couple I've been using recently to give you an idea of what I want: When We Go Rolling Home, and (Hear the Fond Tale of) The Sweet Nightingale. They can be stories, drinking songs, plotless wonders, militant, rowdy bawdy, sad, minor, you name it, just so they pull people in and are entertaining.
Since we're all different, just tell me what works for you.
Blessings,
Barbara