Hi! I've just stumbled on this thread, and found it fascinating. Many of the problems discussed in it have been bothering me for a long time. For further thoughts on the matter, see my article "England, whose England?" on Rod Stradling's Musical Traditions web site - http://mustrad.org.uk/

- where you should find much else that's of interest, if you haven't visited it before.

And on the subject of The Wild Rover ...

many years ago, I got so fed up with being asked to do it that I composed an antidote. It goes to the same tune ...

I've been a folk singer for many a year, And all round this country I've played for my beer, But now I'm retiring, though I've no gold in store, And I never will sing The Wild Rover no more.

And it's no, nay, never (etc)... will I SING ...(etc)

I went into a folk club I used to frequent, And said to the doorman "Me money's all spent" He said "I'll stand you a pint, as I have done before, If only you'll sing The Wild Rover once more." (Cho)

I pulled my guitar out, and tuned up each string, Then took a deep breath and got ready to sing, When a voice from the back shouted out this request - "Won't you give us the chorus we all love the best." (Cho)

I'll go back to the Labour, confess that I'm beat And look for a job sweeping muck off the street, And if I can find one, as I have done before, I'll be b*******d if I sing The Wild Rover once more! (Cho)

Cheers,

Mike