>> We can safely say in the days before the BBC, and maybe the music hall, people sang songs to each other who sangs similar songs to other people and everyone forgot who started it. That is all we can safely say. <<

We can safely say (from direct evidence) that the songs were handed down from one generation to the next. And that's what "tradition" means - in my dictionary at any rate. I'm not wedded to the upper case 'T' (blame the OP for that).

So, if we drop the definite article and the capital letter, there's no longer an argument?

to Dave Ruch:
I'm one of those who "sings and plays whatever strikes [my] fancy". But I'm also curious about it, especially that part of it that goes back five hundred years. Which of your groups am I in?

>> As to: "Never mind contributors' drinking habits;" maybe you need to stop taking yourself so seriously. <<

Maybe you need to stop drinking so much wine, Leveller (yes I know, it does taste good!), then you might be able to judge more accurately when others are taking themselves seriously and when they aren't.