Not at all, Mark - however so light-hearted my intention the inquiry was genuine enough. EM remains a controversial figure & a large body of Myth has grown up around him. Regardless of my personal feelings about his work (I love his traditional stuff but find his own songs hard to take) he is one of the more fascinating figures thrown up by The Folk Revival, a unique catalyst for all manner of legend and reputation which remains a subject worthy of discussion - which is what we come here for. Looking at the other thread on his war record - Ewan MacColl - coward or traitor? I am hearted by the overall tenor of the responses to the OP's somewhat derisory opening gambit. My own, as I say, I meant as something more playful, in the nature of the Folkloric subject matter. The reality, I would think, would have been no laughing matter at all, but remains nonetheless intriguing in the light of both the facts and folklore of the case which are in every respect exceptional. The more I learn, the more I admire the man - no matter what he did, or didn't do, in the bloody war.

S O'P