Hi,

Child did print versions he knew were suspect- he ranted about Buchan's versions and used them as a last resort. He also refused to use versions he knew were extrapolations like many of Alan Cunningham's. At the end of ESPB in the later numbers, 280-305, he became wearily of dealing with ballads he could not corroborate as traditional from more than one source. Macmath's disliked Scott's arrangements but both of them tried to see through the printed ballad to the traditional ballad whenever possible.

Steve Gardham's knows more about this than I and his excellent article on Child 295 I've used excerpts from as well as quotes by Steve.

Certainly it's harder to point out possible discrepencies amoung today's performers without sullying reputations and angering family members.

So do you just refrain from making the point or do you ruffle feathers?

It's a fine line---

Richie