I don't care for the RUS book simply because it is misused so much. I have a notorious memory and I always carry a loose-leaf binder of songs with me. I may glance at the words while I'm singing but if I sing the song in public I've already learned the melody. The only way to deal with the "blue book" for me is to avoid those sessions that use it exclusively. I don't get the need, as in some sessions, to sing along on the verses as well as the chorus. And a call and response work song like a shanty only works when sung properly. Would you insist on singing along with the soloist in a choir?

And the RUS book is not the only thing out there either. Some time ago I participated in what was called a "traditional Irish song session." Everyone who came to the session had these four little books titled "Folk Songs Popular in Ireland." The group went around in a circle. The first singer said, "I'll sing Four Green Fields. It's on page 40 of the third book." All turned to page 40 and everyone sang on every verse and every chorus. And on it went around the circle. I glanced at one of the books' table of contents and noticed a song I knew. Unfortunately the verses were all different! When my turn came around I asked if the group would be willing to learn a song that was not in the books. Reluctantly they agreed but I ultimately felt that I should just not frequent that session. Everyone there liked what they were doing and I just did not fit in.

All songbooks are just collections of certain versions of songs. If you restrict singing to the contents of one book you miss out on different variations. And it's ludicrous to insist on using the same key that's in a book if you can't sing well in that key. People have different voice ranges, you know.