I Have Had Singing (Mitchell, thr'u Blythe)

[Aunt Betsy]

This poem was adapted from a 1967 interview with Fred Mitchell of Akenfield, England:

The singing.
There was so much singing then,
and this was my pleasure too.
We all sang,
Oh, the chapels were full of singing,
Always singing, singing;
Here I lie.
I have had pleasure enough,
I have had singing.

I can't read that without weeping. It's been set to music in a lovely lovely song by Steven Sametz; trouble is it's impossible to sing while weeping.

http://www.uucb.org/sermons/2003050401

[Tuly]

I agree Betsy, I got a bit teary eyed myself. What an inspiring poem.

[John]

Where, oh where do I find the music? I'm in love with the song already.

[Ken Finch]

Some more information Fred Mitchell was the characters name in the book in fact he was William Henry Ransome born in West Suffolk in 1883 and died in 1968. I am married to his granddaughter Jenny.

She cannot rember him singing but does remember the black current sandwiches she had when she stayed with her grandparents

[Tuly]

Wecome Ken Finch! thank you for your post and contribution to this poem.