"you are an Australian; most Australians (and English people) are ok with irony. Pip was being ironic. Are you sure you're not American? You're certainly not English." (Tim)...I'm an English repatriate, and please look up the uses of the ! which I used regarding Pip's remark.

Will Fly - you don't like my "direct" (blurb) metre and rhyme, and I don't like free verse "poetry".

"May my parents and I never hear your version of Cob-a-Coaling. We worked on that for ages, it is very much a family song now, and it stretches to breaking point our long-held belief that traditional music is for everyone to think that someone of your agenda could feel welcome taking it from us and singing it. Speaking as immigrants, as Travellers, as human beings, no. You do not have our blessing." (Eliza)...I'm not clear on the meaning of the first sentence (it's similar or different to your tune, or you refuse to give it a hearing?) but, as for the last, it's a traditional song that shall remain in my repertoire.

Got anything recorded for us to listen to YET Don?

And the imperialism of Kipling doesn't put you off, IB?