I have been following a couple of threads (info on Barbara Allen; origins of John Henry), and I have noticed a new conversation has sprung up inside of them. It is a healthy and somewhat fierce debate on the fundamental question of how to think about, approach these songs that we all love. In essence, it is a question about methodology and, therefore, about one's philosophy of music appreciation. It seems an important question and one that is (for me) full of fascination and vigour. I would like to hear what a greater number of you think about the questions raised. Since the debate is no longer really about poor John and Barbara, I thought I'd try to liberate it from them and them from it, by creating a new thread. To anyone interested, check out those two threads and chime in here.