David, when I said "Where did you pick up this notion? GIVE DOCUMENTATION TO BACK UP YOUR CONTENTION," you responded ". . . 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. . . ."

I did indeed participate in the "Chords in Folk?" and there is nothing wrong with my memory. I remember quite vividly that I disagreed with your assertions then and I disagree with your assertions on this thread as well.   I also remember quite well that the "links/documentation" to which you refer were links to your own web site! NOT ACCEPTABLE! NOT AUTHORITATIVE! Only your own half-baked ideas!

Regarding shortness of memory, I'd say that you are the one who doesn't remember that thread very well. Your edicts and proclamations on that thread met with considerable well-deserved derision from many very knowledgeable people.

And as to the reading you recommend for me, I have read (and own) all of the works of John and Alan Lomax and Cecil J. Sharp. In addition, I own and have read books by MacEdward Leach, Evelyn Kendrick Wells, and a host of others—I could give you a complete bibliography of the books on folk songs and balladry that now reside on the shelves of a bookcase in my music room that stands six feet high and is four feet wide (all of which I have read, by the way), but I don't care to take the time right now, although YOU could most certainly benefit by reading them—provided you did so with an open mind and in the spirit of trying to learn. I have also studied with the late Prof. David C. Fowler, medieval scholar and author of several books on balladry, including A Literary History of the Popular Ballad.

I have read the comments on folk music by Ralph Vaughan Williams and A. L. Lloyd in the Introduction of The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs (from which I have learned many songs that I sing to a guitar accompaniment of my own devising, except for "Benjamin Bowmaneer" which I do sing without accompanied). You might note that they make recommendations, but in no way do they claim that their comments are Holy Writ. If you reread it, you may also note that they do make recommendations as to how to accompany the songs in the collection.

Do you even know who Bishop Thomas Percy was and what he did? How about Francis James Child?

David, you are a beginner. A neophyte. A tyro. You know very little about folk music and balladry. You should be listening and learning, not trying to tell others who have been dedicated to the study and performance of these songs all their lives how they should be doing it.

This forum is a good resource from which you could learn much. So shut up and read!!

Don Firth