Oh, I suppose a song can start out in print and end up being called "traditional," but there's something magic about the oral tradition that has largely been lost in our day. I think I'll stick to my initial answer: a traditional song is one that is originated and passed on completely without benefit of print or electronics.

Unfortunately, "traditional" songs are almost extinct.

The only truly traditional song I know is the Racine City Song, named for the town where I grew up:

Oh, Racine, Racine, what a dirty rotten city;
With your torn-up streets and your filthy-smelling river.
Oh, I love you with my heart, and I love you with my liver,
Oh, Racine, what a hole!

Tune: "Turkey in the Straw," more or less

It may be true that the only truly "traditional" songs left are bawdy songs and kids' songs. I think I actually prefer the other ones, the ones that have some electronic influence.


-Joe-