I'd just say this.

Folksong writers are for the most part necrophiliacs and zombies - eating off the flesh of unknown warriors in the first world war, sampling the delights of sharing rum and a hammock in Nelson's navy.

Writing about real people is a different thing.

I wrote a song about Wyatt Earp and I seem to remember it pissed off the MacLaurie family, who are still living in Tombstone. I wrote back saying the they should be proud as their forefathers were part of a legend - like the Sherrif of Nottingham in Robin Hood. they didn't write back.

I know that the family of Kevin Barry were terribly affronted by what they called the public house song, written about their young boy being hanged by the British. He was a kid who got into something he shouldn't and died in abject terror - quite unlike the true son of Ireland bollocks. I know one great Dublin folksinger who was specifically requested by the family not to sing it.

I wanted to write a play about herbert Leonard Mills, the teenage poet/murderer hanged in 1952. I got as far as talking on the phone to one of the policemaen who had him in charge - he just got so upset and aggressive. i realised I would be kicking over a hornet's nest. I couldn't face any more interviews like that - my nerves wouldn't stand it

But best of luck with your project Bob. It makes you realise how bloody careful the early nlues singers had to be of upsetting anyone.