It's self evident that fine folk songs are written by master craftsmen. There is sufficient DNA if one cares to look for it to discern a signature but in case anyone should imagine I'm hung up on the genius racket, folk songs are craft pieces, not windows on art. Auteur theories are generally over-egged but that doesn't mean they lack an essential truth, the smoking gun of responsibility.

What is counter intuitive is that they are products of 'the people'. Adopted and adapted certainly, appropriated, re-named and full of body-doubles but lacking a moniker to send a royalty cheque does not prove the tweakers are as responsible as the author. Most folkies understand this intuitively and find it unproblematic. A few still carry those C19th reformist agendas with them. Belittling flak from collectors won't stop me telling the truth. It means the trail's still hot.