Eighty-second meeting of Collective for singing Patriotic song for Homeland meet at undisclosed location

23:20

Eighty-second meeting of Collective for singing Patriotic song for Homeland meet at undisclosed location (The Pegasus, Marlow’s Bottom). Seventeen noble souls evade tsarist butchers to meet for sing.
Overture by Rosie on Melodeon: “The Seven Stars”. Then first item of business. Office of Secretary and recording minutiae to pass from person to person for reason of justice, fairness, tedium and speling. I not fast enough to hide pencil, so is me, Fred.
Dick Frost open with number from A. Capella: “The Miller and the Maid” – moving song about means of production.
Many song of homeland expressed: from Sweden “Those were the days” by Karen and Steve, and “Ickerökarpolska” by Fred on overtone flute. (Many preferring undertone.)
Song of Greece by Gerry: “How can I tell you that I love you” and duetting with Steve: “Father and Son” (both Cat Stevens/Yusif Islam).
Song of Scotland by Alison: “Glasgow Lullabye”. Song of virtue of drink.
Song of Ireland by Simon “Galway Girl”, and Karen and Roger “Cloganne Winds”.
Song of Netherlands by John “Skipper Jan Rebeck”.
Competition from barflies. Very noisy! Not like us. But persevere and making music.
Alan and Rosie playing set “The White Petticoat” and “Over the Ocean”.
Many song from inspiring United State of America. Notable Stewart playing tune of District Attorney seeking Justice: “D.A. Slockit Light”. Karen & Steve “I’ll be your Baby tonight”, Roger & Karen: “Country Roads”, Alan, Martin & Rosie “Smile for the Camera” Alan & Rosie, “Wind beneath my Wings”. Martin is virtue-so-so on guitar with “Alabama” and “Red House Blues”. Banging on guitar in middle of tune very moving, many tear. Even barflies listen. Well doing, Martin!
Alan remind us all of Rebellion at Brewery on 4th July, day of revolting Americans with Fireworks and Free Handguns. Come! Bring article to make music and raise voice for Rebellion!
Then Fred sing song of Pagan “Old Time Religion”. Countered by Simon & Dave with “Live This Life” and Alison “Sweet Hope of Glory”. So others carry day. But I not beaten yet.
Other song. Delia sing “The Besom Maker” and “The Lame-poor Man”. Simon, Dave & Alison sing “A Calling-on Song” and (by Steve Rothero) “The River”.
Steve sing “This Old Town” on own guitar but use pick of Alan. Co-operative!
Dick to sing “Bring us a Barrel” but barman ignore. Sorrow!
Alan and Rosie sing song of bondage “Unchained Melody”. All join in. Very political feeling.
John sing song of Cannibalism “Little Boy Billee” reference to wreck of Medusa in 1816. Much problem of sailor eating each other.
Dick Frost sing last song: I confuse whether is song of passion and suicide “End it all in Pleasure” or of Workers Collective: “Let Union Be”.
Then barman ring bell. No more beer. All go home.
Now I to thinking: I know everybody name! What if torture? Ooops!

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5 comments

  1. Please join me in a vote of thanks to Brother Cairns for submitting the minutes so promptly.

    Please also accept my apologies for absence from next week's meeting at The Belle Vue in Wycombe. I nominate Sister Hemmingham to take the chair.

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  2. I was asked about the Steve Rothero song which is called the Riverbank. Steve was the lead in a local group called Common Thyme along with Peter Howe, Richard Bradley and Liz Knott. They frequented the Maidenhead Folk Club in the early 80's and played across the region.
    I'll get the lyrics next but basically the song is about the writers reflection on the apparant corruption of people and their values.

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  3. The Riverbank

    I came from afar like the river, and the town it shone like fools gold.
    And there's some try to steal from your pocket, and there's some try to steal from your soul.
    If your luck holds out you can get filthy rich. If it leaves you you get filthy poor.
    But either way you get no respect and every face is like a closed door.
    Chorus -And flow you tired old river, you can never wash this town clean. I stand on your bank and I wish I could be a hundred miles upstream.
    The young men look hungry like hounds in a pack, and the young girls they dress like whores. They work, take their pleasure on Saturday nights and they don't think to ask for more. Chorus.

    There's no-one here now's an honest face, for the memory has faded away. They take their dreams from bright magazines and their gospels are printed each day.

    And come the season of goodwill, like their fathers they don't say they sing, and come the last line of Auld Lang Syne it's ever a hollow ring. Chorus.

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  4. Sister Hemmingham happy to be nominated but even more happy if other compatriates volunteer scribing services! Excellent to Ring the Changes and one hundred thousand thanks to Brother Cairns for this week's refreshing contibution.

    Many thanks too to Brother Simon for lyrics of The River. Should we speculate as to which town it could be describing?

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  5. Glad to hear that club is thriving. Have sent email
    Regards
    Paul

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