"I absolutely love unaccompanied singing and a capella singing but whilst a great tune is important I like to listen to the words, not someone exercising their vocal chords"

That's a matter of taste, of course. I sing unaccompanied and try to sing clearly so that people can understand the words. Occasionally, however I'll sing something foreign. I don't expect that the words will be understood, nor do I translate unless asked. However, I don't speak melodeon or violin but that does not prevent me from enjoying their music. Sometimes it is OK just to use the voice like any other instrument and enjoy the music and poetry for the pure sound, rather than the sense.