>Because it doesn't make sense singing songs in a language the audience can't understand, is the obvious answer, but people seem to enjoy it anyway.

Anahata - I don't think I'd necessarily agree with the comment that it doesn't make sense to sing in languages that others don't understand! I can recall going to the National quite a few more years ago than I care to remember and hearing Mhairead ni Dhomnaill (and I'm sure that I've probably spelled that wrong - can't bring myself to get up and raid my CD collection - so apologies). Other than what she provided in her introductions,I had not the foggiest idea of what she was singing about, but the delivery,intensity and obvious sincerity of what she was up to grabbed me immediately. I spent a couple of weeks afterwards tracking down a recording of her singing on the strength of what I had heard then (and still enjoy playing it).

I found much the same thing a couple of years ago listening to Eamon* Brophy singing for the first time - again I couldn't understand a word of what he was delivering, but the actual delivery was full of emotion and commitment - absolutely spine tingling stuff. (If I recall, the first time I heard Chris Jones was also on the same occasion that I first heard Eamon* singing, at the Dorset Singing weekend run by John Waltham).

* Mis-spelling alert again (rueful grin) - I promise I will check it out when I've posted this!!

So as far as I'm concerned there is sense in singing in a non-common language, as long as the person singing is able to properly deliver the song (ie is involved in and committed to it, and not just going through the motions).

Sian - many thanks for that. I had thought that collecting had been going on well before it was taken up in any earnestness in England - but wasn't going to stick my neck out!!