Curiously, a local (Kent) well respected Scottish unaccompanied singer was making a possibly related point to me recently. Back in the 60/70s those who went to Scotland would find most folk musicians playing and singing Irish material. He did so himself. Then he heard the late Hughie Green enquire in connection with his well known talent quest "Why are you all pretending to be Irish?". He has since concentrated on Scottish (from traditional to contemporary)material - it is HIS roots. Now he asks "You English have some wonderful songs. Why don't more people sing them?"