Opening/Welcome Songs

16 Mar 99 - 07:55 AM (#63396)
Subject: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: Tony

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.

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16 Mar 99 - 10:24 AM (#63423)
Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: Liam's Brother

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

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16 Mar 99 - 10:28 AM (#63424)
Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: Bert

Tommy Steele's "Handfull of Songs"

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16 Mar 99 - 12:31 PM (#63465)
Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: Paul G.

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

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16 Mar 99 - 01:19 PM (#63480)
Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: Philippa

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.

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16 Mar 99 - 10:42 PM (#63614)
Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: DonMeixner

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

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16 Mar 99 - 11:29 PM (#63623)
Subject: Lyr Add: CALLING-ON SONG^^^
From: harpgirl

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

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17 Mar 99 - 12:58 AM (#63646)
Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: ddw in windsor

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

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17 Mar 99 - 04:13 AM (#63681)
Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: George Seto - [e-mail]

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

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17 Mar 99 - 06:01 AM (#63690)
Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: AndyG

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

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17 Mar 99 - 06:05 AM (#63693)
Subject: RE: Opening/Welcome Songs
From: AndyG

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

AndyG

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