>> I'm obviously not communicating. I've been slung out and studiously ignored at many a traddy gathering of kindred spirits and fisherman's smocks. <<

Obviously not, given that you feel the need to bring outdated caricatures like "fisherman's smocks" into a discussion about traditional song.

"Four Loom Weaver" is an extremely powerful song with a magnificent tune. I've sung it myself. I'd love to have been in the room to hear Ewan MacColl perform it. Nonetheless, is the question of no historical interest, whether Becket (spelling corrected) Whitehead actually knew it in that form?