Winners of ST ALBANS CHORUS CUP 2008

Winners - The OK Chorale
Tune - I was only 19

Photo Bill Quinn

Me & my mate Frankie put the car onto the boat at Wiseman's Ferry
It was a long drive from Roselle.
The car was loaded with sleeping bags & tents
& enough alcohol to drown a Mallee Bull.
We pulled into St Albans & we started to make camp.
The old bloke beside us had a case of fiddler's cramp
It was raining hammers and nails & all my sleeping bags were damp
God help me, I needed nicotine.

A three day operation when each beer could be your last one on two legs
It was a war within yourself.
We went to see a band, I saw a cute feral folkie
She had green hair, she looked just like an elf.
She was really cute so I thought I'd try my luck.
she looked at me & spat & swore & kicked me in the guts.
I fell to the ground & tried to breathe,
but all I could do was wheeze & suck,
God help me, she was only 19.

I woke up next morning, I had the worst hangover I've had in years
I couldn't feel my legs.
We staggered up to the marquee & lay down on the grass
while they cooked our bacon & eggs.
then Vic Jeffreis yelled out "Poet's Breakfast!" & the bloke behind me swore,
a boring man recited "How McDougal topped the score"
& the bloody colt from Old Regret had got away once more.
God help me, it was like a bad dream.

We sat outside the pub, & watched the Morris dancers, I said to Frankie,
"why do they wear those bells?"
He said it was an ancient anglo custom, so that they can
scare blind people as well.
then someone yelled out "shooting" & the dancers grabbed their sticks,
they shouldered them like rifles & banged them on the bricks.
the are over-compensating 'coz they've got tiny egos.
God help them - Morris dancing is obscene.

I can still hear Frankie singing "Raggle Taggle Gypsy" on a table
outside the Settler's Arms hotel,
& I can still see Frankie throwing up behind the portaloos
but at least it covered up the smell.
and can somebody tell me why my tent still stinks of puke,
& what on earth possessed me to buy a purple uke
& Frankie bought a banjo from a bloke from Bundanoon
God help him, the thing won't stay in tune.

I kissed a crusty folkie now I've got an infection,
the singers at the chorus cup sound like an insurrection,
I did folkie Karaoke with the Mothers of Intention,
God help me, they said my actions were obscene.

Winners of Kids competition 2008 - The Apple Icy'z

Clap Goes the Audience
TUNE: Click go the shears

Chorus

Clap goes the audience, clap, clap, clap
WE come here every year you can't stop us coming back
the others look around when the judges make their vote
They like our tune & sweetener of icies & coke.

Out in St Albans the old folkies stand
Clasping their beers in their thin boney hands
Fixed in their gazes at the girls in the band
I hope they all will sing in tune & harmonise the land.

Archie's up & early when the poet's breakfast starts
He tells a funny poem which makes everybody laugh
the Morris dancers prance around with rainbow clothes & sticks
and gives a charming side look to children & the chicks.

Chorus

Out on the muddy streets, we the kids all busk
Strumming away until the set of dusk
the parents take a break & come onto the road
To find us all still at it and we're making a load

the night before the music roard, how huge was the crowd
Banjo's strummed, the vocals flew, oh boy it was so loud
Campfires were glowing so the stories set on fire
the stars & moon were lighting up for all to admire

Chorus

The smell of fresh air & the tingle of the dew
Nature comes alive when you're looking at the view
although the weather wasn't great it was a little wet
you all have made folkie friends who you won't forget

Now the festival is over and all the money spent
the people hope they will survive until the next event
First we'll pack up all our tents and shed a few tear
and say our goodbyes to our friends who are so dear

Chorus

Fred Smith with his Apple Icey bribe
Photo Bill Quinn

Other entries from the 2008 chorus cup

Our Campfire Song
"The ICED NO-VO's" N&HVFC
TUNE: Mexican Hat Dance- WORDS: Elaine

The music, the concerts, the laughter
Will stay with us forever after
the dances, the poets, the workshops
*Makes St Albans festival tops.

CHORUS:
But something's very wrong!
The message is in our song
Because we feel so strong
'There'll be no more campfires," they say, no way!

IT's been raining for days and for hours
and not just those sweet April showers.
we've been cold, we've been wet, but no drier
*So where is our warming campfire?
CHORUS:

Now the campfire's a St A tradition
Created by weather conditions
"Global warming" at night? No such thing!
* It's so bloody cold we can't sing
CHORUS:

Since there is no cure for insurance
Liability's sent us on a dance
the solution we know will amaze ya
*We'll just have to bring a braz-yer!
CHORUS:

I Hate Poetry Breakfasts - The Dead Poets
Words - Mike Richter -Tune- I like Aeroplane Jelly

I Hate Poetry Breakfasts
Early morning and I don't agree
I like poetry at lunch
I like poetry at tea
Rising before sparrow-fart really irks me

Folk festivals try
To hang poets out to dry
Late to bed, then early to rise, is why
I Hate Poetry Breakfasts
Early morning and I don't agree

Photos Bill Quinn

even massages couldn't save it

If anyone has any other photos or lyrics please contact:

Alison Boyd

its a zero!!