I believe that if one wants to play a song written by others then it is good manners to buy their CD so that you have an accurate source to refer to.

All too often we can reproduce a song but it will contain glaring inaccuracies in either melody or lyric from the original . These will detract from ones interpretation and will be noticed by the more knowledgeable and its no use claiming that you have put your own stamp on it.

Note how the Furys changed Eric Bogle's songs. he forgives them because of the royalties but was not impressed by their interpretations as a host of others have used the inaccurate versions from which to learn. Thank goodness for June Tabor is what I say

When I heard 'Swallows Wing ' performed by the author at a session in the ringers one May week end, I asked if he would mind if I learned it. he said 'Go ahead'
I then asked if I could have the words. He said 'Yes, buy the CD'. So I gave him and tenner and held me hand out. He said he'ld post it to me.

Well eventually I got me copy.

He was most impressed with the way I did it . [He being Tony Truscott]

He deserved the price of the CD for that one song alone because it was and still is worth it.

So buy a CD even if its for only one song you wish to learn , learn it from source then you are more likely to be more accurate.

Or you could be a 'Taker'

Its the modern way to collect songs, after all when folk song collectors were collecting 'In the field' not all songs were wheat, I'm sure there was some of chaff.