Folky

In Cappella we're singing a beautiful song by Stephen Hatfield called Marguerite from Newfoundland. It tells the true story of Marguerite who was stranded on the Isle de Demons with her love, her child, and her serving maid. It's in that style of North American/ New England/ Canadian folk music that is just makes you want to weep, and makes the song stay with you. After rehearsing I was speaking to a couple tenors next to me about that style - that amazing lilting folk sound that rips the heart out of the chest. It's the reason why we sing Simple Gifts a million times and never tire of it, why we love sea chanteys.
Seems I am not the only one willing to sit around and sing folk songs - after a brief talk on Barrett's Privateers (the only person I've ever met who knows it as a Stan Rogers tune!), a fellow singer said his wife and him sing these all the time. Is it still a jam session if you're singing folk music??