From NOT IN THE BOOK by Craig Brandis

The good folk of Sing Out! have done a good turn
A popular songbook has helped people learn;
More people are singing, just take a good look
But cast your net wider than just in the book

I don't thing RUS was ever intended to be a 'hymnal.' I'm happy to say I've never been to a session where people had their noses buried in any song book. I've been places where it was yanked out because someone was trying to remember the third verse to a song, much like I've seen people use the DT. I don't think established sessions would tolerate it. As for new sessions where people aren't all that familiar with folk music, perhaps they only need to learn there's some homework involved - it's not an 'open book' test!

I have a really good joke for you guys. Hang on, it's on page 42 of the Musicians' Joke Book...