Yes, and Recruited Collier is a prime example of ALL using (and subverting) a text to meet a political purpose. Coalmining as opposed to ploughing had become far more politically sexy and, besides, such a title would fit nicely into Come All Ye Bold Miners.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with basing a song written in the tradition on an existing poem of known authorship, or of updating an existing text. As long as you SAY SO. Origins are interesting and add to understanding. Bert, however, chose to deceive. That is both misleading and disappointing. This is a man who used to read and then correct my Morning Star pieces in single spaced manual typescript and so I wonder now just what else he wasn't quite honest about.

Surprisingly, the OP claims to have seen at least one of my pieces about Chris Wood. This is a musician who works closely with people in their environment and workplace, fitting his words and music to rhythms of speech. He uses existing work and original composition together to create something new and fresh, but never conceals. That is the difference: respect for the tradition but the freedom to break convention.