Let's take an image we all must have - the old man/woman sat in a pub singing. Whatever they sang those who listened would I reckon hardly play any part in the process of ......etc .etc. They would be just as passive a consumer as people are nowadays.
good point Dave ,but not if they were joining in the chorus.
or if they knew the song well and were joining in the verses with the singer,either in harmony or in unison .
The latter is a phenomenon that I know many folkclub goers find annoying,But must have happened with songs like Holmfirth Anthem,when people sung in pubs,outside the folkclub situation.