I am absolutely with the grouchy old curmudgeon and Bro Barry. There are songs that I have learned from the singing of cronies of my Grandparents that bear no resemblance to the RUS version. As a publication I put in the class of a source if nothing else works. And the "PC" versions are not even that good. I much prefer "The Folksingers Wordbook" as a starting point to tracking down a version of a song.

The issue of the RUS "style police" is a separate issue entirely. If you are going to have a text that all songs sung must follow, at least use one that is credible. But I will not participate in a circle that insists that I sing and listen to only approved versions of anything. One of the major reasons I go to a session/circle is to hear and learn other folks versions of tunes/songs.

Big Mick