Mike P (and others)- Thanks for the notes on the songs. Please send along
any other notes that you have about songs like these, this is so
interesting! And my patter could use some new material, too... Would
someone be interested in creating a list of the most popular (common) trad
tunes, and we could all contribute what tidbits we know about them?
Kevin - Ah, come on, share some of your lines with us. That one was good!
Most of us are far enough away that we're not in competition with you at
all - I'd love some new humor for my Renfest act, and coffeehouse gigs.
I've put some of my patter on this list before (not that my stuff is any
great shakes) but anyone's welcome to it!
For example:
(since I play both Irish and Scottish music, said in accent at Renfest) -
'I'm often asked if I'm Irish or Scottish. The answer is...
(uncomfortably) yes, and we don't talk about it in my family'. (This is
also a good way to get around a dialect that is sometimes sloppy, and
usually gets a giggle ;-)
Intro to Star of the County Down: 'This is a song about a man who saw a
fair maid, and was so taken with her that he swore he'd do no work until
she married him. Ay, and I'm sure (sarcastically) that THAT changed right
after the wedding!'
I've also got a GREAT but more lengthy story about English Cider - will
post if anyone's interested.
Like I said, no great shakes, but if anyone likes them, use them...
Thanks again for all the inspirational writing. They've come at a time in
my life when I've never needed them more (as inspiration often does!)
You're all very wonderful people!
Pamela Keller
University of Kansas