We were missing several regulars who were resting their voices between Brighton Pub Carols rehearsals, but 11 singers gathered at the John Harvey Tavern. These included Kim and Lisa, our two visitors to this session, one from Hailsham and the other a friend staying with her, from Kent. They had come out together for a quiet meal, but ended up joining in very enthusiastically with the singing and said how much they had enjoyed hearing songs which were mostly new to them.
We sang a variety of songs suitable to the season – some war songs of Remembrance, others relating to cold weather generally, Christmas, New Year and wassailing, including most of the set for the Weald and Downland Christmas Market the following weekend.
Warming up with Sweet Chiming Bells, Poor Froze-Out Gardeners, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Where Stormy Winds Do Blow we then moved on to Life of a Man, All Things Are Quite Silent, The Coppers’ Christmas Song, The Holly Bears a Berry, The Holly & the Ivy, Home Lads Home and Here We Come A-Wassailing.
During the break for refilling glasses we managed to keep discussion of Brexit, the General Election and Trump's possible impeachment to a minimum, although goodness knows what the world will be like when we meet again in December!
In the second half we tackled The Fields Lie Silent, Sugar Wassail, Sussex Mummers’ Carol, The Angel Gabriel, While Shepherds Watched (Pentonville), Masters In This Hall and The Woodcutter’s Song before finishing as usual with Thousands Or More.
Nine of us had recently performed a mini gig at Jan L’s mum’s residential home in Henfield which had been very well received and we discussed returning there in Spring with a new set.
We were disappointed to hear that we would not be wassailing at Steyning Community Orchard in the New Year due to the organisers having “over-organised” and we will be looking out for suitable other similar events to suggest in future.
Next month we will again be meeting on a Wednesday, 18th December, to accommodate the Brighton Pub Carols rehearsal the previous night so see you there.
Back to the usual third Tuesday from January.
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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