Hoots Bar

Verse 1

Cyprus is the isle of joy – Especially in the North

When folk there want to sing and play - Where do they venture forth?

Here at the Hoots Bar – Where the whistle toots, bar – Come! Hear the guitars play

High upon a hillside - Over Alsanjak

Sonia welcomes strangers – Bids them “Haste ye back”

Here at the Hoots Bar – Come out to play - Somewhere Ilgaz way

Verse 2

With “Hutspah”, as a Yiddish term – It means “You’ve a nerve, indeed”

When it comes your turn to play - That’s just what you need

Here at the Hoots Bar – Where the whistle toots, bar - Come! Hear the guitars play

When first I saw the “Hoots-Bar Band” – They were raising funds for Ishmail

Fired-up for their maiden gig – Playing at sea-level

But… here at the Hoots Bar – Come out to play - Somewhere Ilgaz way

Verse 3

Apart from his special 8-string guitar – Jim’s like a guy from my youth

“Not me!” said he; “because I’m not … that long in the tooth!”

Here at the Hoots Bar – Where the whistle toots, bar - Come! Hear the guitars play

Alan is master of the keys – although the “ivories” are plastic

When Maggie sings “Let’s Do It Tonight” the atmosphere’s fantastic

Here at the Hoots Bar – Come out to play - Somewhere Ilgaz way

Verse 4

John, concertina and the pipe - also sings an Irish air

In “Everley Harmony”, Andy and Jay – what a clever pair!

Here at the Hoots Bar – Where the whistle toots, bar - Come! Hear the guitars play
On violin is Peter – he’s reading from “the dots”

“Banjo Mike” just picks away – “Guitar Mike” calls the shots

Here at the Hoots Bar – Come out to play - Somewhere Ilgaz way

Verse 5

Jack and Brian in “Shadows” style play many-a classic riff

They take you back a year or two – we even have a “Cliff”!

Here at the Hoots Bar – Where the whistle toots, bar - Come! Hear the guitars play
I can’t name all the folk who play – or sing a song or two

Get up from your chair, my friend, tonight it could be you!

Here at the Hoots Bar – Come out to play - Somewhere Ilgaz way

Verse 6

There’s no end to the music you’ll hear if up to Hoots you climb

Indoors or out, the “crack” is the same – it happens all the time!

Here at the Hoots Bar – Where the whistle toots, bar – Come! Hear the guitars play

High upon a hillside - Over Alsanjak

Sonia welcomes strangers – Bids them “Haste ye back”

Here at the Hoots Bar – Come out to play - Somewhere Ilgaz way

Somewhere Ilgaz way