WLD: I just think we should give an ear to and accord similar significance to the people who are right alongside us in our communities.

OK, that's a good point. Part of the way I understand the oral tradition is that songs can enter it from any number of sources - and I'm sure there's people out there who learned "What do you want to make those eyes at me for?" the same way I learned "Fields of Athenry", from hearing it (repeatedly!) and singing along.

Also, here are those links I forgot to provide before. As I was saying,

The self-deluding Merrie England side of the folk revival - people like this or, God help us, this - irritates me hugely.