It depends if you consider yourself a folklorist or not- or project yourself as an objective collector or not. -such claims carry obligations to be somewhat universalist within the traditions in which one works. Another obligation is to treat songs and lyrics primairly as objects rather than as political/religious statements.

IMHO the best way to diffuse strong political hangups with music is to simply put the differences behind and play the songs of both sides with no worry about what anyone thinks.

As for quality I believe that the music of both sides is in quality a mirror image. Even a refined taste can be offended by some of the Nationalist songs. I myself choose not to be offended by any song. I am more offended by exclusion of songs than their inclusion.

The worst enemy of the tradition of Orange,Loyalist and Unionist music is the uncompromising mental state of Orangemen,Unionists and Loyalists. However, the same is true of jingoistic Hibernians,Roman Catholics and USA IRA Republicans who attack a fine tradition,generally one that they themselves have never heard, and wonderful ballads and songs which can harm no one just because of a particular small attribute of their content.

Musicians and Folklorists can make a differnce but not if they fall into line on one side or the other. The proper outlook and use of the tradition (that is the tradition of the Island of Ireland as a whole which is more alike than divided) can help to obscure the small aspects of songs which divide by concentrating upon music as art and not worrying about quality or political issues.

By the way- If you know the lyrics and tune to the mythical "kick the pope" song Please post them with source. I am well read on this topic and have never seen it.

Conrad