5.18 Sir Songman

Episode Summary

Sir Songman began with Jakarta’s Monday men’s hash in 1978, when expatriates found run information on supermarket notices and the city still offered very different terrain. Early singers, including Penguin and other memorable characters, introduced him to the strong musical culture for which Jakarta hashing became famous. Later postings carried him through Bandung, China, Hanoi, Europe, and beyond.

Known first as Peter the singer, he became Songman in China and eventually Sir Songman after receiving a real knighthood. He reflects on songs, circles, long trails, mixed and single-sex kennels, event travel, changing communications, walkers, and the challenge of keeping older members included. Still active in the Netherlands, he argues that a lively circle and a double-entendre name can preserve fun without relying on cruelty or vulgarity.