On the subject of authenticity, there are always grey areas.
Personally i like to hear them being performed as if they were work songs
I understand that often they were not sung in harmony, but if they are sung in harmony but still performed as work songs they may not be entirely authentic, but it might be a pleasing musical performance, that is better in my opinion than someone singing in a totally authentic manner but who cannot sing in tune.
I do not rate Stan Hugill as a TOTALLY WONDERFUL musical experience, but i acknowledge his importance as source of information
Steve, do you question any of his scholarship ever?HAS HE EVER BEEN A FABRICATOR?