The Last Gin

Gin Trap Folk ran every last Tuesday of the month from September 2010 until January 2015. It was hosted by Steve Knowles - the singing Landlord - and Cindy,  seen here performing their duet 'What A Wonderful World' (and it certainly was)

 

 

 



and managed throughout with unfailing benign aplomb by Adrian Tebbutt (white sweater and folk beard below)

 

 

Perhaps prime amongst its unique features were the sing-arounds and shanties often led by Adrian, 'Jolly' Roger and Katie Fullilove's Fried Pirates, pictured here supporting yet another 'Gin Trap Virgin'

 

 

Nothing could stop this juggernaut of a folk club - except the closure of the pub - and in fact not even that as 'Gin Trap Folk' will phoenix from the winter chill at The Black Horse Castle Rising on Tuesday February 24th. Same time and vibe, different place. 

 

The Gin Trap song - words by this blogster; music by Show of Hands, performed by the Fried Pirates.

Sixteen silly seasons, four years at the Gin,

Forty eight nights gathered/ to play and laugh and sing

Pirates Jolly Roger, Adrian and Kate

Steve the Singing Landlord; Phil and Al his mate.

Thank you all for coming, Thanks for turning up

        Em                                        G

      Thanks for all you’ve given, You gave more than enough

            D                                      G

      We spent the time together, In laughter and in love

         Em                                G                       D

      Thank you all for coming, Thanks for turning up

Sitting by the fireplace

Digging every tune:

Robin like an Eagle

Above a cliff in June,

Beatle Al who ‘Can’t Do That’

But does - and makes it rock;

Dave who makes the banjo dance

Like a Grandfather clock.

Thank you all for coming, Thanks for turning up

        Em                                        G

      Thanks for all you’ve given, You gave more than enough

            D                                      G

      We spent the time together, In laughter and in love

         Em                                G                       D

      Thank you all for coming, Thanks for turning up

Let’s not forget the Virgins,

You know we’ve had a few,

Some Sue-i-tably violet

Some shouting shocking blue;

You don’t forget your First Time,

We all were virgins once:

Sick weeks anticipating,

Nine after-glowing months.

Thank you all for coming, Thanks for turning up

        Em                                        G

      Thanks for all you’ve given, You gave more than enough

            D                                      G

      We spent the time together, In laughter and in love

         Em                                G                       D

      Thank you all for coming, Thanks for turning up

The whole pub singing shanties,

An England not quite gone,

The mental chiming Christmas bells,

The drones and harps and trumps and gongs,

The instruments unheard of,

The many shapes and cries

Big Jim and Long Tall Vince and Joan

‘A woman half his size.’

Thank you all for coming, Thanks for turning up

        Em                                        G

      Thanks for all you’ve given, You gave more than enough

            D                                      G

      We spent the time together, In laughter and in love

         Em                                G                       D

      Thank you all for coming, Thanks for turning up

There’s Lou Reed Al, Paul Simon Dave;

There’s Gifted, Old and White;

The list of course is endless

But songs can’t last all night;

There’s teenage Billie Holidays

Dave’s vintage real ale folk;

And there’s you we’ve failed to mention…(call your name here)

And there’s Mike, our Prior bloke!

 Thank you all for coming, Thanks for turning up

        Em                                        G

      Thanks for all you’ve given, You gave more than enough

            D                                      G

      We spent the time together, In laughter and in love

         Em                                G                       D

      Thank you all for coming, Thanks for turning up

Back here in the old place

I hope I still belong

Less of where I’m heading

And more of where I’m from

I burned too many bridges

It’s time to make amends

Raise a glass to all that’s past

To my family and my friends.

 

 



 

Mike Prior 

Lynn and Terry

Peter Smith and Son

 

Half the audience enjoying Crooning Al

(the other half of the audience is round the bend) 

Bluegrass Al

Crooning Al

Lynn of Wootton

Warwick Jones premiering 'The Ballad of Turnip Townshend'

Vince

David

Roy

John Fincher of London

 

 Me telling 'Our Long Tall Island Story'

 

Thanks to Mrs Warwick for the pix

 

The Gin Trap Folk Club September 2010-January 2015