Fake accents are grating, to be sure. And one should not sing Scots unless he grew up with it. And furthermore, no vernacular songs should ever be anglicized. All valid points.

But what is a California-based performer to do if he wants his audience to understand what he's singing about - at least the important bits?

"A Man's a Man" was cited above. I've been singing an anglicized version of the song which, though still requiring close listening, is at least accessible to an American audience, if I explain it some. If anyone's interested, I'll post it.

I don't fake accents, BUT when singing Irish or Scots songs, a bit of a burr or lilt is bound to sneak in. That's perfectly natural and quite unconscious.