Don't know if these were actual history or imitations thereof, but "Barrett's Privateers" and "Flowers of Bermuda" are great Stan Rogers cuts. Also "Witch of the Westmereland." Also his "Rise Again" (Mary Ellen Carter).

For truly old stuff from the British Isles, I favor Patrick Spens, Battle of Harlaw, and Johnny O'Breadisley--lots of fun done unaccompanied in coffee houses.

Barbree Allen, Fair Ellender, Silkie, Stewball.

Also interminable Western "Bad Man Ballads"--Jesse James, John Hardy, Railroad Bill, Frankie & Johnny (x3), Betty & Dupre (x2), Lazarus in the Van Ronk version. Best of all is Staggerlee--I believe my personal best on that one was a seventeen minute marathon version with all known verses, broadcast by one of those 10-watt local radio stations from a coffeehouse in Eugene Oregon c.1972. The sound engineer loved it. It's been all downhill since.

CC