Barkeep's Blog - Vollsanger: 29th May 2019

Thought for the day:"People who use the wrong word for things should at least have the humidity to admit it once in a while."

and today's Brexit comment is...

And so the Bothy is set for a run again today - up to Macclesfield - or at least Stockport for Knight Mason.

And back Friday

Another 360 miles on the clock I hope...

Last night I was asked if I could recommend any songs for a medieval banquet for a German colleague who had to sing to an English Speaking audience. I found the task quite interesting...

So thought I would share the results....

Medieval Banquet Set – Vollsanger 2019

Race you to Valhalla

This is a Vollsanger “original” that you will have heard me sing
Actually it is a Welsh song by Dafydd Iwan with words changed to suit Viking style that I use. However, it must be remembered that the Viking influence in England (and all the UK) lasted from 400AD through to after Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the entry of the Normans.

I feel comfortable with using Viking references and they fit nicely in my “Knightly” banquets.

It is a rousing song and will normally get people clapping and singing.

http://www.songs.crimson-moon.co.uk/r_002.htm
(youtube links available) : https://youtu.be/Qbf2nJELpsE

Do Virgins taste Better?

An excellent rousing song with suitably “risqué” lyrics.

Brobdingian Bards for the Original (I do not do the Dragon Follow up)

If slowing the chorus, repeating and speeding up it is guaranteed to have everyone clapping along.

Lyrics : http://www.songs.crimson-moon.co.uk/v_002.htm

Youtube : https://youtu.be/Prt1MzX_T0Q

Maid when you’re Young

Again a good sing along – especially if using the last line
“he found my ting-torum!!!!” with licensious meaning!!!

Always thought this would be better sung by a female singer but I get away with it

Lyrics and Youtube : http://www.songs.crimson-moon.co.uk/m_001.htm

Pussy Cat Song

Again a Lewd song that gets everyone going – especially if they join in the “Miaow” ‘s watch the faces of those who have never heard before !!

Stress “What?? It is just a Friendly little Cat”

Over 18’s normally or check with parents …

Lyrics : as sung

Youtube : https://youtu.be/YazbIlzKaP4

Or https://youtu.be/1Tbc-zGZ6gY

Chastity Belt

A perfect song for the period. All about knightly honour and ladies and – well a Chstity Belt.

I now this does not go down so well with all Germans as the punchline is that “the Baron has fitted a Yale!!” and I understand that Yale is not used in Germany.
A Yale key is the most common type of front door lock in the UK

English Speaking people will enjoy the reference..

Can camp up the final part with the page boy….

Lyrics : http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/bawdy-songs/001837.HTM

Youtube : https://youtu.be/yntKUbnSbEs

Barley Mow

I love this one as I do it without accompaniment and the speed that you can finish is great

I always add the name of the Bar / Hall / Group and the “Good Company” as the last verses.

Lyrics : http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folksw/000720.HTM

Youtube : https://youtu.be/lZGRajvlHic

Mead on Scale

Again an original (or at least a variation) but very popular with British audiences who are well acquainted with the song from the “Sound of Music” and will sing along quickly.

Give it a slow start so that they do not realise the tune until too late !!

Lyrics : Easy

Youtube: https://youtu.be/_PLT4KCX4Zo

Wizard’s Staff

Pure Terry Pratchet

Very popular with the Crowds once they get the idea of the song…

I tend to use the last verse – first line only as I do not use any profanity – only inuendo but I leave it hanging !!

Can’t believe I have not recorded it yet!!

Lyrics : on the youtube link (I have linked to the start of the song)

Youtube : https://youtu.be/gwPveuJjp9k?t=120

Oh Sir Cadawyr

Again an original / variation

Can also pick on a particular member of the audience with a girlfriend there

Sing as though from the girl to her Beau
Find the name of the man – call him Sir so and so – best to find one with at least two syllables.

Get them singing – make sure that they realise that you are dropping a word each verse !!

Last verse can be played for all its worth!!

Lyrics : http://www.songs.crimson-moon.co.uk/s_003.htm

Yout tube : https://youtu.be/JSBNU44Oxlw

I hold your hand in mine

A wonderful song by Tom Lehrer

Can really ham it up – people think it is a love song until you get into it…

Lyrics : https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/tom_lehrer/i_hold_your_hand_in_mine_chords_1415367

Youtube : https://youtu.be/-ekMCYM4DAU

Sounds of Violence

Again Original / Variation from the Paul Simon Sounds of Silence

Lures people into the song – then they know the tune so well!

Lyrics : http://www.songs.crimson-moon.co.uk/s_004.htm

Youtube : https://youtu.be/YfAnrI4-7Js

Coast of Caledonia

Again Original / Variation based upon the Eagles

Again lures people into the tune – it is popular

(I do this on the auto harp as well for the instrumental😉)

Lyrics : on demand

Youtube : https://youtu.be/ddYAGWhaH88

The Green One

I know that this is personal but very aware that Quis et Deus (Vienna Bard) uses it – I know ‘cos he gives me a shout out in his concerts

So annoying that it is good for the show 😊

Youtube : https://youtu.be/OHuixKnldVY

(I don’t think you need the lyrics)

Minsk from Pinsk

I love this one

Russian style for the chorus – gets everyone clapping again

I ham it up something rotten when being heartbroken

Lyrics : Can’t find so will write out if you want them

Youtube : https://youtu.be/5u__KAM7nDE

The Widow and the Devil

Love this song – a good jig and lovely story about the Devil not quite satisfying the “Widow” .. Always sounds better when sung my female colleagues – but has to be in the repertoire.

(My wife has played the Character of Agnes the “Widow” for the last 15 years 😊 no connection I assure you )

Lyrics : https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/mick_ryan/the_widow_and_the_devil_chords_1955519

Youtube : https://youtu.be/XOB3qZAspzU

Charlie Mopps

The inventor of Beer

Not one I use a lot but works well if you get everyone singing along

Lyrics : https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the_clancy_brothers/beer_beer_beer_chords_1228538

Youtube : https://youtu.be/mYFQ25ZxnVI

Mead Glorious Mead

A variation on the “Mud Mud Glorious Mud” by Flanders and Swann

I use this as a starter

If feeling adventurous – I ask for Colours from the audience and make things up as I go along… (look out for Orange they will try as there is meant not to be a rhyme – I go for deranged)

Lyrics : http://www.songs.crimson-moon.co.uk/m_007.htm

Youtube : https://youtu.be/EaHjDhLPg7c (mud version)

The Mild Ogre

A Vollsanger Original but very popular and used by other colleagues

Again – good for hamming up

Lyrics: http://www.songs.crimson-moon.co.uk/m_004.htm

Youtube: https://youtu.be/OXa2o61KmF8

The West Awakes

More for background though it is a rousing song

Another Original / Variation on a Traditional Irish Song

A good filler

Lyrics and Youtube Links : http://www.songs.crimson-moon.co.uk/w_004.htm

Who’s the Fool now? (Martin said to his man)

Traditional drinking song – a good crowd pleaser which can be joined in for the last line even if they don’t want to do the repeat lines

Lyrics : http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/ravenscroft/songbook/martin.html

Youtube: https://youtu.be/VmDoPzjOd4M

One of Us

A great song by Heather Dale – best sung by a woman though I put it onto my CD – I think a winner

Lyrics : https://genius.com/Heather-dale-one-of-us-lyrics

You tube : https://youtu.be/8E3eZZCTo1o

Wo Trinken Wir??

My only attempt at a German Drinking Song which is now a universal song for any drinking establishment – Written for the Klabautermann, then used in Bad Norderby and Rote Stern
I use it in England for English speaking audiences who have NO German at all
an example is here…

English : https://youtu.be/LIMbeYRB6Ik

Or German : Bad Norderby : http://www.taurusiuvavi.at/CMS_3/images/phocagallery/MOV/Bad_Norderby.mp4

Whiskey in the Jar

Traditional – enough said

Woad

Takes you back to the Ancient Britons

Popular and well known tune and funny lyrics

Lyrics : http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/woad.htm

Youtube : https://youtu.be/esIkGfhRPVo

Irish Ballad

Another funny song from Tom Lehrer

Needs to have an audience ready to listen – words are important