It must surely be sung and studied, Joan? They are not mutually exclusive activities by any means, but entirely complementary. Folklore is a perfectly respectable topic, as well as a fascinating one, well worth academic study. I myself like a good 'footnote' to a song, either in print or orally before a performance, and try to provide a brief and, I hope, not too tedious one before singing a song. An audience member isn't necessarily going to know who Mary Hamilton or the Duke of Marlborough were if nobody tells them, and will surely have less appreciation of the point of the song if they never find out?

~M~