Opening/Welcome Songs

Subject: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: Tony
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 07:55 AM

I just glanced through the thread on Closing/Parting songs and this topic seemed a natural.

I'm particularly interested in songs that could be used at the beginning of a Song Circle. Therefore, familiarity or an easlily learned chorus or refrain would be essential.

Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:24 AM

A classic "calling on" song... When Jones's Ale Was New.

Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: Bert
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:28 AM

Tommy Steele's "Handfull of Songs"

Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: Paul G.
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 12:31 PM

I like Kate Wolf's "Give Yourself To Love" as a circle opener..."Kind friends all gathered 'round..."

Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: Philippa
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 01:19 PM

I'm here because I'm here:
Here I am amongst you all
I'm here because I'm here
And I'm only 12 months older than I was this time last year -i-ya, than I was this time last year

The rest of the song isn't so relevant, with verses such as:
Never throw a brick at a drowning man
If you're near to a grocery store
Just throw him a bar of Sunlight soap
And he can wash himself a shore -i-ya, he can wash himself ashore.

Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: DonMeixner
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:42 PM

Lots of opening songs come to mind. Ewan macoll's "Hello Friend" has long been a favorite of mine. My band has started the night for the last 27 years with " Come In" by the Rovers. "Sweet Song of Yesterday" is also good.

Don

Subject: Lyr Add: CALLING-ON SONG^^^
From: harpgirl
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 11:29 PM

I like this one:

"A Calling Song"
Good people pray heed our petition
your attention we beg and we crave
for if you are inclined for to listen
an abundance of pastime you'll have
we have come to relate many stories
concerning our forefather's time
and we trust they will drive out your worries
of this we are all in one mind
many tales of the poor and the gentry
of labour and love will arise
there are no finer songs in this country
or in scotland nor england likewise
there is one thing more we need mention
the dances we dance are in fun
so now that we have your attention
we'll play on to the beat of the drum
harpgirl

Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: ddw in windsor
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 12:58 AM

A great opening song is a rollicking version of There's A Meeting Here Tonight. The Limeliters did it back in the 1960s, tho' I don't remember which album. Might have been The Slightly Fabulous....

ddw

Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From:
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 04:13 AM

There is a Gaelic Song "O Teannaibh Dluth" which is sung to the Barbara Allen tune. It says in the first line, O teannaibh dluth 's togaibh fonn which says O gather near, and raise a song

Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: AndyG
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 06:01 AM

My favourite calling on song is the Earsdon Sword Dance as recorded by The Watersons, (probably on For Pence & Spicy Ale), though I'm unsure. It's not the same as version in the DT.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: AndyG
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 06:05 AM

Oops, wrong URL... Earsdon Sword Dance by The Watersons.

AndyG