Thanks Mike, those were almost exactly my thoughts on the subject. It was ALWAYS said as a joke as far as I saw.
Many folk singers have clichés that they utter, all too often in some cases.
Many singers seem to do exactly the same set every time too. Some can get away with it, and some can't. It's a matter of charisma, or lack thereof, in most cases.
There was a time when I could have reeled off every one of a late lamented artiste's wisecracks, but he got away with it, because he was good.