Steve, I really do believe that most of the the "trad" songs that come up for discussion here are a tainted product of Victorian times. The "song hunters" were looking to "collect"(as in things?)outdated songs to improve and publish and that's basically what you have. I don't think it matters how one approaches these efforts, the songs themselves are more or less fixed from that era. How much they do or do not resemble the popular music of preliterate, preindustrial England or wherever is anybody's guess.

I prefer the word traditional as opposed to folk because people like you and your associates belong to an elite group. Consequently, your approach is diametrically opposed to any that would resonate with the common people. The word folk becomes a misnomer anywhere near you guys. No one was really using the word folk before the mid-1800s anyway. It annoys me that you don't seem to think that anthropology or cultural history have any real bearing on what you discuss here but the bottom line for me is who cares? I have had my fun coming up with various ideas on my own but being ridiculed for them repeatedly has caused me to lose interest in this sort of discussion. I liked it better when you were taking the time to teach me things.

So Steve, you're definitely a snob but you should not imagine that this interferes with my ability to appreciate what you do. And you shouldn't imagine that I don't like you. Too late for that. I already do. Now go away.