So what if this has already been done to death several times over? There is always someone who missed it the first fortyleven times. And this IS a forum that is dedicated to folk music, right?

I was surprised that "1954" did not appear in this thread until well past the middle. That is often the beginning, the end, and "pour me another one; we ain't nearly done with this!" discussions.

One take from way back was this one, which makes pretty good sense to me:

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From: Celtaddict - PM
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 10:21 AM

Rick is right.
Who defines folk?
I do. When I sing it.
He does. When he sings it.
You do. When you sing it.
**

'Nother one is, was it Pete Seeger? Or Schooner Fare?
"Folk music is music that folks sing."
**

I don't worry too much about it. Once you try to pin it down, as with 1954, you leave yourself open to "exceptions." Basically, it is like trying to nail Jello to the wall.

Saul