Odd but true the notes E D C in equal measure start thousands of tunes. It does not take a genious to reckon there's many a tune made of bits taken from other tunes or in many a case a bit of one married to the image of some 'world' sound. Music knows no border.

The claim made by some authors about the origin of folk lyric make me dizzy. Those influenced ought to reread the material with a more critical eye. I almost came to a sticky end with one moutain person who insisted 'Rosin the Bow' was a French song ie 'Rosin le Beau'. I was actualy talking about an Itinerant Fiddler who gained some fame in Victorian Britain singing the song 'Rosin The Bow' and who later became know as MR da dah Rosin the Bow.

True I do live in Oklahoma USA, true I did write the lyric to a couple of songs here and there, but I must say I took some comfort in what I had already read or heard, including poetry, from every corner of the globe. If in times to come there were to be a dispute between two Nations as to who 'owned' those lyrics, then twould be a geat arguement for I am neither a native nor a true Brit, and having some ancient Gaulish genes, the French also could also enter the fray. Poetry and lyric make word art which enhances a language like Pushkin does Russian, but that motive has little to do with Nationalism.

I find the whole thing rather ridiculus, especialy Child and Sharpe. I know I'll swiftly be slapped down here, but unburdened of that prejudice which long hinders good art I became liberated long long ago.

The best folk songs are a product of coperative effort and many a fine reel was made in session, but not by a sole fiddler. In fact I'd say that what makes folk so widely loved is it's anonymity.

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