Rowan ,as I think you understand, I was not trying to rubbish Manifold,but trying to Stimulate discussion.
anyone that has a copy of the Penguin Book of Australian Folksongs,and reads Manifolds introduction can judge for themselves.
here is his next paragraph.
[Isometimes wish,in vain,that we could keep up the strict etiquette that was observed by the real bush singers.A young man used to learn his songs from the acknowledged singer of the district,and might eventually earn permission to sing them to the limited public of the bush,wherever or wherever the acknowledged singer was not present.Some few songs were common property;others,songs from books,were rather contemptuously exempted fromthe rule;but in the main this apprenticeship system prevailed at least among men.When the public performer of a treason song might earn a stretch in jail,it was apoint of honour to perform it properly.]
I strongly disagree with Manifold about folksong not belonging in the school room,furthermore publication does not preserve them like,stuffed animals in a museum.Publication of traditional songs and tunes enables them to be circulated further,it is then up to the reader, to realise that both the tune and the story is open to alteration.
we must also realise that when songs /tunes were passed on only by oral means,some of the alterations were not just accidents or misheard mistakes,but were deliberate improvements.Dick Miles














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