I have studied and do study words, Ron. I've been a wordsmith all my life. And in addition to having been a singer since my late teens, I've been a serious scholar of folk traditions since then as well. So I'm not, as you imply, speaking out of ignorance of the subjects under discussion.

I believe I've made myself clear, and I've said everything I really want to say on the subject. At least for the moment. Let others make up their own minds.

I do have a theory as to why so many singer-songwriters think of themselves as writing "folk songs," and also why some of them seem so desperate to have their songs regarded as folk songs. But that exploration here will have to wait. For now, I have "miles to go and promises to keep."

Don Firth