From the archive:

When I started this blog in 2003, it had a decidedly different intent. But last year I tossed all and started anew. There was only one post to keep: the first one. Here it is again. A short Rumi poem that may describe what we do on Wednesday nights.

You say : you are not a seeker: With us you'll become one;
And if you are not a minstrel, with us you will sing.

If you are the richest, in love, you will be bankrupt;
and if a lord. you will be a slave.

One candle from this crowd will light a thousand candles.
Whether you are dead or alive, with us you will live.

Your feet unshackled, the way clearly revealed,
your whole being will laugh,like a rose in bloom.

Come dress in rags for a moment and see the light;
then you'll throw away the silks and wear rags with us.

The fallen seeds becomes a tree
In understanding this mystery, with us you'll fall.

Shams-i Tabriz, the sun of truth, tells the heart, a bud yet to bloom.
"When your eyes open, with us you will see...."

(part of a gazal by Rumi : persian poet 1207-1273)Translated by Iraj Anvar

Oaks Bottom Public House - Apr. 18, 2007

Quiet Dr. Thomas graced us with his inaugural song tonight. Everyone was pleased.

• Let Union Be -- sung by Tom C.
• The Man That Waters The Workers' Beer -- sung by Alan S.
• Old Peculier -- sung by Hugo G.
• John Barleycorn -- sung by Paul M.
• John Barleycorn -- sung by Hugo G.
• Rolling Down to Old Maui — sung by Charley R.
• Sportsmen Arouse -- Sung by David S.
• Fathom the Bowl -- sung by Paul M.
• Finnegan's Wake -- the song -- sung by Johnny M.
• In Praise of Alcohol -- sung by Joel and Charley
• Glanville's Homemade Beer -- sung by Charley R.
• Greenland Whale Fisheries — sung by Paul M. and Hugo G.

They kept singing, but I left. So ask them.

Oaks Bottom Public House - Mar. 14, 2007

Just one question. "Where the hell is Frank now?"

Keep breathing. It's easier to sing that way.

• Old Peculer -- sung by Hugo G.
• John Barleycorn -- sung by Dick L.
• Bully in the Alley -- sung by Hugo G.
• Billy O'Shea -- Sung by Paul M.
• Strike the Bell -- sung by Paul M.
• John Barleycorn -- sung by Paul M.
• Sailor's Alphabet -- sung by David S.
• Rolling Down to Old Maui — sung by Charley R.
• Glorious Ale -- sung by Hugo G.
• Snap the Line Tight -- sung by Phil H.
• Hey ho Roll and go -- sung by Joel S.
• Sportsmen Arouse -- Sung by David S.

... then the bar exploded.

Oaks Bottom Public House - Mar. 7, 2007

The crocuses are peeking and the daphne are blooming, the peonies are nuzzling the humus. Keep breathing, the spring is not yet sprung, the winter still has rattling lungs -- the morris men (and a few women) visit Oaks Bottom Public House to drive the diners away.

Here are the methods we used to drive them away:

• John Barleycorn -- sung by Dick L.
• Glanville's Homemade Beer -- sung by Charley R.
• Eat Bertha's Mussels -- sung by John M.
• Around Me Brave Boys -- Linda G. and David S.
• To Bellman -- sung by Dick L.
• Fathom the Bowl -- sung by Paul M.
• The Last Battle -- sung by Phil H.
• Recitation of a bit of Joyce's Finnegan's Wake by Johnny M.
• Finnegan's Wake -- the song -- sung by Johnny M.
• Botany Bay -- sung by Dick L.
• Old Dun Cow -- Sung by David S.
• Noggin Noggin Grog -- sung by Charley R.
• Sam's Gone Away -- sung by Dick L.
• Blood Red Roses -- sung by Johnny M.
• Shallow Brown -- sung by Elizabeth C.
• Tommy's Gone to Hilo -- sung by Linda G.
• Drink Old Portland Dry -- sung by Paul M.
• I can Hew -- sung by Dick L.
• Row On -- sung by Dick L.
• Bring Us A Barrel -- sung by Paul M.

'nuf said

Aye, Dry! Drink Old Portland Dry

There are a couple of rewrites of folksong chestnuts that some in our group have rewritten to suit the local flavor. Frequently the lyrics are requested for these unpublished works.

Here's one such a song. The tune is Drink Old England Dry [midi]. The localization of the words was written by Lev Koszegi.

Now come, me brave boys, as I've told you before
Come drink, me brave boys, and we'll boldly call for more
Californians have come to our town; they say that they will try
Will try
They say that they will come and drink old Portland dry

CHORUS

Aye, dry, aye dry, me boys, aye, dry
They say they will come and drink old Portland dry. [repeat the last line of the preceding verse]

We'll take them all to Bridgeport and for ale we will shout
Tap the Blue Heron and bring forth your finest stout
When these foreigners their first sip take, contented they will sigh
Will sigh
We'll tell them "Do your best!" to drink old Portland dry.

CHORUS

From Washington descend upon us drinkers of renown
We'll take them to the Lucky Lab on either side of town
The overflowing pitchers and the peanut shells will fly
Will fly
Good luck to them, we'll say, to drink old Portland dry.

CHORUS

Canadians are quite polite and ever so genteel
At Portland Brewing Company their mettle shall reveal
They'll shout for more MacTarnahan's and raise a ruckus high
So high
Throw manners to the winds to drink old Portland dry.

CHORUS

Wherever they may come from, we shall leave no empty glass
At Widmer's or McMenamin's, out by Cornelius Pass
For even if they drink a pint a minute 'till they die
They die
We know that they can never drink old Portland dry.

Cheers!

Oaks Bottom Public House - February 28, 2007

The pub was full and loud this week. The winter cold returned to encourage the Oaks Bottom patrons to wrap up, head to the pub, sup their ale and do their best to ignore the singers at the end of the room. Here's the songlist for this week:

• I can Hew -- sung by Dick L.
• Sportsmen Arouse -- Sung by David S.
• Eat Bertha's Mussels -- sung by John M.
• Glorious Ale -- sung by Paul M.
• Can't You Dance the Polka? -- sung by Charley R.
• John Barleycorn -- sung by Paul M.
• To Bellman -- sung by Dick L.
• Queen of Argyll -- sung by a regular
• Barrett's Privateers -- sung by Charley R.
• Finnegan's Wake -- sung by a regular
• Old Rose and Crown -- sung by Dick L.
• Strike the Bell -- sung by Paul M.
• Rolling Down to Old Maui — sung by Charley R.
• Bring Us A Barrel -- sung by Paul M., David S. and Dick L.

An early end this night.