what exactly are the consequences of this bloke ever having come across an American version of the Unfortunate Rake.

Not knowing a lot about music. I never really understood about how the Streets of Laredo related in any way to St James's Infirmary. They seem on the surface to be unrelated. I sing both songs. The melodies and the words seem different to me.

I think all singers are subject to their environment. Despite there being large numbers of people from the Indian sub continent and middle Eastern folk living in England. So far their ideas haven't filtered into my music. But I suppose it might in future. Singers can't really control the song. Even the most conservative of artforms undergoes changes. It is inevitable.