I noticed the Young'Uns thread and posted my support a few days ago, Eric.
I admitted I know little of harmony technique, and said I would add "mostly" to my atop definition/conclusion, Marje, yet you accuse me of lack of humility; also, I only mentioned my CV upon belittlement - that's when the majority would defend themselves with their record. And, most importantly, the main issue was NOT about how harmony and chords work, but their use or lack of use in (English, e.g.) folk music. So how about all who read this taking a few moments to look up folk music in your encyclopedias, and post anything they find on melody/tune, chords/harmony - and have the "humility" to do so even if it goes against what they have argued on this thread; I shall repost what I found -
"Folk song is usually melodic, not harmonic" (The Hutchinson Encyclopedia); Folk "musical structure is the simple repitition of a tune (with or without chorus)" (Philip's Essential Encyclopedia).
(And is it not the case that such encyclopedias consult these experts in their field that several of you mentioned above....or why have encyclopedias?)