Pronunciation lessons
Good session tonight. A mere ten of us but we rattled (yes, we did – well, it's been a year) through the carols for this Xmas season. And we had another new member join us from Newhaven – Sandria Reese. Welcome Sandria! She brought along her brother-in-law who lives in Paris (because her husband can't sing). I did suggest that he take back a love of South Downs songs and set up a satellite group there – but I won't hold my breath.
Now then, he told us that we can rhyme "wind" with "mind" (God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen, verse 5) as that was how they used to pronounce it in the 16th century. I seem to remember that we did do that last year .... but he was less sure about "blood" and "rood" (verse 4 of Righteous Joseph) ....
However, when it came to The Holly & the Ivy (verse 3) we should pronounce "blood" with a strong northern accent apparently – because it used to be spoken that way (down 'ere too) and DOES rhyme with "good"!
Don't say I don't learn yer anyfink ....
PS – Sandria's brother-in-law doesn't live in Paris because her husband can't sing. Just thought I should clear that up.
Welcome to our website for singers who want to learn and sing traditional and new South Downs folk songs, sung in the traditional way. "Put another barrel on, landlord, and pull a pint for me! The ale here in Sussex is the best we all agree!"
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