Surely it says "track" instead of "song" in order to allow instrumentals?
True, but by calling it "track" it implies to me that it is a specific recording of a song or tune that is being judged, not the song or tune itself. If they were judging the song or tune (as opposed to a track) then the ones that have been around longest ought to win because by their survival they have proven their long-term popularity; whereas we can't predict whether a newly 'unearthed' song (e.g. the White Hare) will still be remembered in the distant future.

Ruth - one man's (or woman's) "MOR poppy twaddle" is another's folk music. What I'm saying is, we can't do much about that, i.e. if the 'wrong' track wins we might or might not agree with the verdict but that would be the case for any award, folk or not. If Tim van Eycken wins no doubt some of us will say we prefer one of the other two contenders.