Let us not forget the major role that white northern European male dominated society played in the abolition of slavery in the USA and world wide. The British (including at that time the Canadians) were among the first to renounce slavery (Scots and Irishmen, feel free to disagree) and provide safe harbor for the few African-american slaves who were able to escape. Despite that they are now despised by the PC bunch as colonists and imperialists. The Union troops who bled and died to abolish the institution should not be excoriated because their army was not integrated. People are products of their time and circumstances, and if we are seeking better understanding of historical facts, we ought to know someting about the people's feelings, attitudes, and beliefs. Folklore, songs and stories in particular, are usually accurate mirrors of the (often anonymous) author's attitudes and should be recognized and preserved as such.