Of course, as has been pointed out, songs can no longer become traditional in the 'traditional' sense as our society has totally changed and that means of transmitting and recording songs is no longer in existence. However, that doesn't mean that the skills and desire to produce songs in the traditional style or styles have been lost. Traditionally-inspired songs are still being produced and, to my mind, have no less merit than the conventionally traditional ones.

A good analogy would be, say, the Windsor chairmaker who uses the same skills and artistry as were employed in previous centuries to produce a chair that is not a reproduction but a genuine piece that is the result of the extension of a craft that has been around for hundreds of years. True, it will be sold to a different clientele, used in a different setting and, because it will probably bear the maker's name, it will not be anonymous, but it will not be in any way inferior to the chairs made by previous generations.

We value the skills of traditional furniture makers, thatchers, trug makers, willow weavers, dry stone wallers and the like, so let us not undervalue the products of today's songwriters who create wonderful offerings in a traditional style.