"Do we throw these out?"
We don't throw anything out Steve - we accept what we are given - it's where we pidgeonhole it is what we're discussing here.
I believe we used the 'Jolly Waggoner' when we edited the Hamer collection into 'The Leaves of Life' though there are other songs which don't fall under the 'I know it when I hear it' catergory, that we wouldn't have used and would not be happy to see lumped in with folksong at a session to any great extent.
"Jim, I know you won't accept this but 'folk' to practically everyone in the English-speaking world has a different conception"
No I don't - but I would be grateful if you would point out where your infomation came from.
I've said before and now (hopefully for the last time) our great failure has been to fail to engage with "practically everyone in the English-speaking world " or even practically anybody, therefore we rely on the definition we have.
You have not mentioned my comments on the divorce from our literature, research, archives, collections.... that would take place should we move into another language; "You'll find some folk songs in 'The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs' but for god's sake, don't call them folk songs" - come ooooonnnnnn.
Our language and information can develop, but it is too firmly entrenched in our work to be abandoned to open the doors to non-folk folk (that's what this is all about - read the threads. Will you tell Steve Roud or shall I?
"and the small mindedness..."
Not my experience Ralphie; remind me again how many times you attended and whether you actually discussed the club with anybody there.
Glueman;
A thought occurs.
"Sang a rousing selection of shanties with my three year old this very morn JC"
Are you not worried about turning your child into a potential little Fagin by encouraging him/her to partake of the proceeds of a felon - or did you get your shanties from your friendly neighbourhood shellback?
Jim Carroll