I agree with the sentiment that you go with your your musical interests and tastes. The supply of traditional songs is without limit. I particularly like songs from which I learn bottom up history: what was happenning to the poor and ordinary people and not just elites. One good example of that for me is "All Round My Hat" about a couple separated because one is shipped out to Australia for petty crime. There are a zillion variations of melody and lyric for this song. I am also fond of the Robert Burns songs. The poet wrote great lyrics capturing a rich variety of thoughts and feelings: everything including national identity, justice, rebellion, grief, love and a whole lot more. And he knew a good melody when he saw one. Finally I also like traditional songs of my own country, Canada. These songs enrich my sense of self. The whole process also enriches my enjoyment of songwriters who are steeped in traditional music and somehow it comes out in their songs which are about today's living. These songwriters link us at a feeling level, not just head, to our history.