In church we sing this as "Be Thou My Vision," but the old tune is "The Banks of the Bann." I prefer the old harmony these guys use. If people around here would sing in three-part harmony, I'd hang out more in bars.
Why are there no American bar songs- you know, the sort of song you could walk into any bar, start singing and people would join you? Alas, those days seem to have disappeared with the advent of first jukeboxes, then electronic music.
If you walked into a bar and started singing, I would join you.
Our neighbors have a fish-fry every New Year's Eve, often attended by friends from Austin who arrive with guitars and a willingness to sing and even take harmony parts. One of them has an amazing ear and can play almost anything on his guitar that's he's heard on the radio in his adult life. I have more fun.
Everly Brothers songs are good; most people have pretty well internalized both parts as equally prominent tunes in memory. But the ability to sing in harmony without getting confused is lost if you don't use it. It atrophies for people who only listen to recorded music.
Only once have I sung in a bar Stateside, and that was with/ trading songs with a Canadian. The other patrons were bemused but no one protested. They have a high tolerance for odd behavior from regulars at that particular establishment, since it is 50% university and 50% military and 25% rancher (more or less).
Well, sure Tex- if you have a bunch of friends and someone breaks out a guitar, you'll start finding songs a few of you know and sing- we do that with a group we sometimes camp with, but you have to know what do they know...
Used to be (before my time really) you could walk into a pub or bar and there were songs you knew everyone else knew and plenty would sing- wasn't there? I think it's pretty universal too- I know it used to be true in Great Britain, and I asked my in-laws if it were true in Hungary, and they said 'of course', and I'm sure there are likely still German drinking songs most people know (thanks to Oktoberfest). Now perhaps the Irish are the most prolific, and perhaps have kept this alive more, but here in the States, it seems quite dead.
Try learning some of those Hank Williams, Sr., songs I posted a while back. You'll find plenty of folks in bars who can sing them with you, and likely will if you come late enough in the evening.
Agreed, Douglas. There are few social settings in the U.S. where anyone even tolerates the idea of a singalong. But if they do at all, there are a few musical styles that cross enough cultural lines to remain a (faint) possibility. As Grim says, lots of people know old Hank Williams songs. Well, lots of people our age, anyway.
It's very discouraging. I say bring back sea shanties, even if it means pressing us all to sea again.
Excellent.
ReplyDeleteI'd also frequent such a pub, if they'd allow both Walkin' Boss & me drinkin' buddy, the walkin' hoss.
When I think of the 'banks of the Bann,' I always think of Mick McCann.
ReplyDeleteI would also recommend the music of the late, great Stan Rogers of Canada.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't familiar with Stan Rogers, but I just enjoyed his "Northwest Passage."
ReplyDeleteWhy are there no American bar songs- you know, the sort of song you could walk into any bar, start singing and people would join you? Alas, those days seem to have disappeared with the advent of first jukeboxes, then electronic music.
ReplyDeleteIf you walked into a bar and started singing, I would join you.
ReplyDeleteOur neighbors have a fish-fry every New Year's Eve, often attended by friends from Austin who arrive with guitars and a willingness to sing and even take harmony parts. One of them has an amazing ear and can play almost anything on his guitar that's he's heard on the radio in his adult life. I have more fun.
Everly Brothers songs are good; most people have pretty well internalized both parts as equally prominent tunes in memory. But the ability to sing in harmony without getting confused is lost if you don't use it. It atrophies for people who only listen to recorded music.
Only once have I sung in a bar Stateside, and that was with/ trading songs with a Canadian. The other patrons were bemused but no one protested. They have a high tolerance for odd behavior from regulars at that particular establishment, since it is 50% university and 50% military and 25% rancher (more or less).
ReplyDeleteLittleRed1
125%? Busy night.
ReplyDeleteWell, sure Tex- if you have a bunch of friends and someone breaks out a guitar, you'll start finding songs a few of you know and sing- we do that with a group we sometimes camp with, but you have to know what do they know...
ReplyDeleteUsed to be (before my time really) you could walk into a pub or bar and there were songs you knew everyone else knew and plenty would sing- wasn't there? I think it's pretty universal too- I know it used to be true in Great Britain, and I asked my in-laws if it were true in Hungary, and they said 'of course', and I'm sure there are likely still German drinking songs most people know (thanks to Oktoberfest). Now perhaps the Irish are the most prolific, and perhaps have kept this alive more, but here in the States, it seems quite dead.
Try learning some of those Hank Williams, Sr., songs I posted a while back. You'll find plenty of folks in bars who can sing them with you, and likely will if you come late enough in the evening.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Douglas. There are few social settings in the U.S. where anyone even tolerates the idea of a singalong. But if they do at all, there are a few musical styles that cross enough cultural lines to remain a (faint) possibility. As Grim says, lots of people know old Hank Williams songs. Well, lots of people our age, anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt's very discouraging. I say bring back sea shanties, even if it means pressing us all to sea again.