I think that by and large the songs and tunes which were bound together to start with have been recorded and kept for reference ~ by collectors and enthusiasts
Over the years collectors have recorded singers that have learnt versions that have undergone the folk aural and oral tradition and because of the recording systems have a "record" of these too

Creating totally new tunes ~ well it is possible ~ time will tell as to whether this is a good thing or not! imv words should always be clearly enunciated and the story clearly told

Ray