The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #127587   Message #2849715
Posted By: robinia
25-Feb-10 - 08:15 AM
Thread Name: Is traditional song finished?
Subject: RE: Is traditional song finished?
"Given that Cecil Sharpe bowdlerised most of what he collected..."

Er... in what sense is that a 'given'?

Thanks for raising the question, Brian.   I question the assumption that Sharpe himself bowlderised what he collected.   It's at least possible that, singing to this visitor from polite society, many older singers themselves modified their language.