Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WE JUST NEED FOOD
Wescrawledourmessageontothecardboardinbigcapitallettersandproppedourbikes
by a fountain in a quaint cobbled square just off the main street. There were lots of people
sataroundontheedgeofthefountainandthestepsofanadjacentbuilding.Whatwasmore
important about the location of our 'patch' was that it was outside a branch of Greggs.
It had seemed like a fun idea when I suggested it, but when we were actually standing
in the middle of Lancaster town centre about to launch into an a cappella version of
O
Little Town of Bethlehem
, I realised I was incredibly nervous. I used to sing in a band and
was quite happy to stand in front of hundreds (tens) of people and sing rock songs, but the
thought of busking suddenly filled me with fear.
Ben didn't hold back. He launched into the first verse like a seasoned pro. I was aston-
ished by his voice. His speaking voice is slightly squeaky and irritating, and I expected his
singing to be a melodic version of this. I could not have been more wrong. He sounded
like a posh old man, with years of experience singing with a church choir. He sang with
an affected baritone voice that took me completely by surprise. The tone and volume were
phenomenal. I did my best to compete, but I was no match for him.
Neither of us knew what followed the line, 'the silent stars go by,' so we just repeated
the first bit again. Everyone just stared at us in bemusement.
'WhyareyousingingChristmascarolsinSeptember?'askedaladywhoapproachedus.
'We are helping people get into the Christmas spirit early,' said Ben.
'Well I'm a devout Christian and I find it very offensive that you are singing carols so
early. You should both be ashamed of yourselves. It's considered very bad luck.' And with
that she put her nose in the air, turned and strode off up the street.
'She wasn't very Christian for a Christian, was she?' I said.
'Miserable cow. How can this be causing offence?' asked Ben.
'Who cares? If there is a god then I doubt he would be offended about us singing some
of his hits too early in the year.'
'His hits?'
'You know what I mean. Christmas carols are HIS songs aren't they?'
'Well, no, he didn't write them. Do you think he gets royalties every time people sing
them?'
'No, but he should. He needs a better lawyer.'
One little girl, aged about four, started dancing right in front of us before her mum
grabbed her by the arm and led her away muttering 'silly boys.'
Our persistence eventually paid off.
'Do you not have anything to eat?' asked a smiling middle-aged lady.
'No,' said Ben.
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