I always thought Jean Ritchie's claim to "Nottamun Town" was based on the publication of the song in her Singing Family of the Cumberlands, for which copyright was clearly established when it was published. The Lomax and Warner claim to "Tom Dooley" was, I think, based on a similar claim, since Lomax got the song from Warner and published it long before the great folk scare began. Am I all wet on this?

Also, I thought Dominic Behan was the source of "The Patriot Game." Everyone in the London folk scene of 1958 seemed to consider it "his" song. Can someone locate the "very old" appearance Guest James refers to above?

I'm pleased to learn of Dylan's note on his use of "Lord Franklin" that Mike points to above. I only wish similar notes had been written concerning his sources for those other splendid tunes he came up with. Not to deny him the use of tunes in the public domain, merely wishing that he had given the tradition credit when and where it was due. I'd like folks to realize how beautiful some of our traditional tunes are. It might encourage them to investigate them further.

Sandy