Fred Jordon once said (in concert, Nags FC, Malvern, 1984/5) that he sang the songs he knew and learnt as a boy/adolescent. But when he started going out as a professional he realised that he needed a bigger repertoire and give the public what they expected. So he delved into books. But he sang a fair number from his oral tradition and all were "traditional".
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(aural tradition would be equaly accurate).
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