I want to explain myself a bit. As to the old songs -- I love the 19th century songs and I sing them in different ways depending on what feels right for them. Some with piano some with banjo, some with guitar, some with dulcimer, some just with voice. Some of them I like to use Carter-Family style accompaniment but actually not many.
Songs themselves have a life of their own though --apart from a singer's treatment of them. After studying the songs of the 19th century and their authors I have come to understand that they well reflect life. I find them moving and beautiful and often so very sad. More and more I wander around in the years before 1900.
Joy