Quite a problem you seem to have there!
I've been to traditional English music clubs where I feel like the cheat for having learned the words. You feel like Brett Maverick at the church whist drive.

Im not sure what the answer is. I wouldn't want to be the one to dissuade anyone from singing, but an evening of it can really get on your nerves.

A song to me, is a bit like a Shakespeare speech - a soliloquoy in a play. It demands everything you've got under the bonnet, performance wise. However i think you simply have to accept that different people feel differently about it. It s a democracy and some people are content 'bawl the hymns' as Oscar wilde put it.

There is a strong feeling in English clubs that they are protecting the tradition, and as Martin carthy says - the main thing is that we sing these songs, the ultimate sin is to just neglect and ignore them.

Game of cards, anyone? Call me Brett!