I got into a conversation the other day about traditional performers of English folk songs.

I'm Australian, as will be immediately apparent when I open my mouth to speak, though I sing without an accent. I sing almost exclusively English songs, with a few Irish and Scots ones as well.

The point being made was that, as an outsider, I could never give a convincing performance of a British song. My take is that, if you haven't heard me speak, you wouldn't know where I come from so what difference does it make?

I can see that I could be skirting around the unpleasant area of racism, so let me say at this point that I have all the delicate over-sensitivity that is common to those of my race- i.e. I don't give a dingo's dangleys what you say about us. So say what you like- I'd be interested in what people think!