Excellent night at the Imperial ... well ... from my point of view it was excellent. Stood up to play ten songs in all and it’s getting easier. I’ve got no technical brilliance and am still working on achieving clarity with my bar chords but I’m making real progress. Pennie tells me that the comment’s been made that ‘it’s like amateur hour’ to which I have three immediate reactions.
‘F *** ‘em’ .. followed by ‘Of course it’s amateur hour. Amateur means doing it for the love of it.’ ... followed by ‘ I’ll wear it as a badge of honour.’
Last night we have few audience - few meaning less than three however I’m grateful to have a warm nurturing space in which to develop as a performer. It’s not even that. I want to be as comfortable playing in public as I am in my lounge room.
A white butterfly catches my eye as I type one fingered and glance into the garden. It’s early autumn and the magnolia tree has one late bloom into which I bury my face to drink the last lingering perfume of summer. The breeze is cool in the mountains. Most gardening jobs are done.
I’m looking forward to Ironfest. There aren’t many medieval festivals and I’d like to see some jousting. This will be the first time that live music has been added and thus we may be performing away from the other activities. Whether it’s two or two thousand, there’s something wonderful about participating in something for the first time. I was thinking about how cold late April could be in Lithgow and how well my fingers would work on the guitar. Couple that with medieval thoughts and a glass of beverage and I came up with this song which works if I play a blue grass type rhythm. Tried it out last night and got moved to opening timeslot of ten a.m. on Friday 25th April.
THE FESTIVAL
Am C G
TO ALL YOU LORDS AND LADIES GATHERED HERE TODAY
Am C G
TO ALL YOU PRINCE AND PAUPERS TOO
Am C G
WE’RE MAKING MERRY AND WE’RE - MAKING HAY
Am G
JUST WHAT WE WOULD DO
Am F
AT A FESTIVAL WE CAN TAP OUR FEET
G Am
WE CAN MOVE OUR BONES ‘TIL WE’RE FEELING SWEET
Am C G
TO ALL MY SISTERS FAR TOO MANY HERE TO NAME
Am C G
TO ALL THE SWEETHEARTS WHO ENJOY
Am C G
I BEAR A RHYTHM AND I WEAR THIS TUNE
Am G
YOUR BROTHER’S WELL EMPLOYED
Am F
IT’S A FESTIVAL AND WE’RE FEELING GOOD
G Am
AND WE’LL MOVE OUR BONES JUST THE WAY WE SHOULD
Am C G
THE COLD IS FLEETING IF WE TAP OUR FEET
Am C G
THIS WILL NOT CHILL US TO THE BONE
Am G
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT YOU HAVE THE INCLINATION
Am G
TO CALL THIS MOMENT HOME
Am F
IT’S A FESTIVAL AND WE’RE FEELING GOOD
G Am
AND YOU CAN CALL THIS MOMENT HOME
Am F
IT’S A FESTIVAL AND WE’RE FEELING GOOD
G Am
AND YOU CAN CALL THIS MOMENT HOME
Am F
IT’S A FESTIVAL AND WE’RE FEELING GOOD
G Am
AND YOU CAN TAKE THIS MOMENT HOME
DAVID GRIFFITH 30/3/2008