I don't disagree with you Sedayne

The moral is only one level as is the lack of morality, as is the thrill, the entertainment, the story itself. The ballad works on many levels affecting & encompassing many human emotions, "the more the merrier".
My point was that in the final "analysis" it is neither poorer nor richer by imposed standards but more by the personnal tastes of the folk mill of the day or process of those that carry it on or if you will, keep the song alive. Be it by any treatment that the singer gives it.

Barry