Jim - I'm wondering if you could help me with this.
In all of your recording of Irish travellers and ensuing discussions, what did you learn of how the songs were passed on or "taught"?
I ask because I recollect a conversation with Sheila Stewart where she was telling how she learned some of her songs from an uncle and there was one particular ballad that she had to sing for him (almost like an audition) every year: after hearing it, he would say it wasn't ready yet, and she wouldn't be allowed to sing it for anyone else until she had his approval!
And I'm also well aware that Jeannie Robertson had very clear ideas as to whether a singer "had the right wey o' a song".
All of this would seem to be at odds with what many posting to this thread have been advising (including myself!). Although perhaps advice to love and respect a ballad would cover it?