Hi Richard,

Here is part of my attempt to address the problems raised by the "horse" definition, which you mentioned in your latest post. For the full version, see the article in Living Tradition Magazine, May-June 2006.

"Suppose that instead of beginning with yet another attempt to categorise the songs, or the singers, we start from the actual experience of singing.   Consider what happens when an informal gathering of people, most of them well acquainted with each other, launch into a song that most of them have known for some time. This activity has been going on in private homes and public houses for centuries.   We find vivid descriptions of it in the reminiscences of authors like Flora Thompson, Bob Copper, and Richard Hoggart. And we have recordings of it from pubs in Sussex, Suffolk, Yorkshire, and various other locations.   

The activity itself is traditional, in one sense. But if many of the songs being sung are of recent origin and known authorship, it could be misleading to describe it as "traditional singing".   There are some possible alternatives.   "Vernacular singing" is technically accurate, but sounds a bit too pompous. "Community singing" is nearer the mark, but carries some awkward historical baggage along with it. So why not bite on the bullet and call it "folk singing"?

This trail can lead us towards a more helpful definition of folk song. Suppose that we reserve the T-word for songs of unknown authorship, which have survived generations of oral transmission. And suppose that we then apply the F-word to songs - whatever their origin - that the people of a specific community sing regularly, and acknowledge as their own. If we do, there are simple tests which can identify one of these songs.

Can most members of the host community recognise the opening bars of the tune immediately?   Do most of them know the words of the chorus and at least some of the verses?    Are many of them unable to remember when they learnt it, but sure they've known it a long time?   And do most of them assume this song belongs to their community?

"Blaydon Races" was composed by George Ridley in 1862, so it can't be traditional in the strict sense. But since generations of Tynesiders have claimed it as their collective property, it seems petty and pedantic to deny it the status of a folk song."

Wassail!