The concept of "folk song" as an art form was invented by Victorian scholars who were amazed to find that the lower classes had songs and tunes of their own at a time when they were considered uneducated and uncultured.
The songs they sang were a mixture of self penned material and published songs which they enjoyed and had meaning to them.
They would be sung at social events or as a means of passing time at home, the equivalent of watching tv today.
If you find research and study of the history of songs interesting enjoy that aspect by all means do so,the problem comes when, as some people do, take their studies so seriously it becomes almost a religion and they criticise those those who merely treat it as entertainment.The bottom line is no one is right or wrong