"The actual music is secondary in folk music. Doesn't matter much what the melody is about or the tempo or structure of the song, it's the words that really matter."

Thanks for the insight - I always wondered why so many folk performers choose songs that are devoid of any appeal tunewise - now I know. I'll try to stay awake long enough in future to appreciate the lyrics.

If the "actual music" is a throwaway, why not simply recite the piece - or, better yet, do monologues?