I didn't ask why your parents emigrated, I asked why they didn't assimilate, when you have stated that immigrants should.
Why do you still have an Australian passport and dual citizenship?


"Don and Smokey (which could also be a description for most of the posts that followed): while the changes/developments you post were going on in churches and courts, folk in England and other countries did persist, over the centuries, with their oral tradition of unaccompanied singing and dance tunes"

Do people today not follow fashions and trends set by the rich and powerful? People have done so throughout history, I can provide some examples if you wish. As for churches, they exerted a TREMENDOUS influence. Not only was Sunday attendance obligatory, the church (as well as fairs) was also THE source for news and gossip. On top of all that, you would often hear the most avant-garde music being played there.


short memory, Don, because you were well involved in the "Chords in Folk?" thread, which has plenty of links/documentation; but I'll briefly mention others who you may respect: Lomax, Sharp, RVW...

Following the same logic, I conclude that music hall songs were performed without accompaniment, because collectors found them being sung unnacompanied.