Jim Carroll - "The only 'standards' I have asked for are basic ones required of anybody who chooses to perform the work of others publicly, if they are going to show any respect to that work."

So you're saying it can be OK for someone to use a lyric sheet -- as long as they're singing their own compositions or nobody's listening?   Otherwise what they're doing is sub-par?

I think Virginia Tam made some excellent rebuttals to that.

VirginiaTam - "... All the practice in the world now does not help me learn a new song fully. And even when I think I have one down, lack of confidence screws me in a performance situation.

So now I don't want to go out to sing in sessions because I don't have the same functionality as others.   I feel ashamed that I have to either use my song book or bore people to death with the same handful of tired memorised songs. Because of some responses on this thread and others, I feel I have nothing of value to offer.

... [A]s an audience member, I have no truck with any performer (paid or not) who does rely on printed words. I am more concerned with whether they and/or the songs they sing are engaging.

Often the content/story of the song itself, though it may be enhanced by a very good performer, is enough to keep me interested, regardless of the skill of said performer."

Main points:
1. needing to use a printed page does not imply lack of rehearsal, failure to connect with the story and feeling of the song, or inability to interpret and deliver the song well
2. not everyone in the audience gives a hoot whether they see a book or page on a music stand or in a singer's hand
3. songs can be appreciated for their melodies, their lyrics, the story, etc., even when they are not sung by a great singer or performer, even when certain "standards" aren't met.

And I'd add that, as a songwriter, I would be delighted to have other people perform my songs with a song sheet in hand.   I'll bet many, if not most, songwriters would rather have their compositions shared by means of books or song sheets than not sung by others. (Bob Dylan may be an exception, but I'll bet "Anon" and that "Trad" guy don't give a hoot.)