I am somewhat puzzled to read that Mr Henderson, who in all other aspects appears to have been mentally alert and having been a noted ballad singer in his younger days, should appear to have forgotten all the ballads in his former repertoire.

Many singers, older than Henderson, with failing memories retained their ability to give fully off their former repertoire for many years.                                                            

To descend to a personal level and as one fast approaching Henderson's age I find that ballads/songs learned orally from childhood to under 30 come with ease and no further back than this last weekend in 4 sessions I, without a repeat, sang some 25/30 items, roughly 12 being ballads, prompting one young lady at the fourth session to enquire if I knew any short songs.