The first time I wrote "retired" was in this sentence: "I've been particularly concerned about this small "n" spelling of this retired referent in contemporary comments." In that sentence "retired" refers to the referent "Negro" which is no longer the accepted formal referent for African Americans.
The second time I used the word "retired" in this thread was in this sentence: "Furthermore, I believe that it is on-topic to offer the opinion that those types of dialect songs or rhymes should be retired from public entertainment concerts (note the word "public". I don't include in this opinion educational classes/sessions or private events). "
In this sentence, I was sharing my opinion that a discussion of various opinions about 19th century "plantation" songs-particularly those which include the "n word" should not be considered off-topic for a thread that provided examples of those songs.
I repeat that I recognize that some people will agree with my opinions and some won't. I never said that I speak for any other person-regardless of her or his race-but myself.
As to my opinion, I believe that what is most important is the person's or group's reason/s for presenting those particular songs (songs is that contain the "n" word). In my opinion, these songs should not be performed in public for entertainment without the "n" word being changed to another word. However, people have a right to do whatever they want to do as long as it's legal. And I suppose it is legal to sing a song that in public for entertainment that includes the "n" word. As you know, some Black rappers do so quite often. And I don't approve of them when they use that word either. Again, this is my opinion, and I recognize that everyone is entitled to her or his opinion in this and in other matters.
Since I know nothing about Devonian or Cornish dialect songs, I can not state any opinion about those songs.