If you perform or (particularly) record a "traditional" song obtained from a Bertsource, how do you properly attribute it? What about copyright and royalty issues? What about the impact to your own credibility when others find that you've passed on spurious facts? How many of us have the wherewithal or time to research each and every song personally, double-checking every source (especially when only one is known)?

The sort of "evolution" performed by revivalists is radically different from what would occur naturally in informal transmission. Usually, they're well aware of all significant changes. So why don't people just detail changes they've made to traditional songs, particularly when they record them? How about telling us what "arranged by" really means? How about posting source materials on your web site, for comparison? Modern technology makes this so easy.