"Iwould argue the opposite that it is precisely why people do not go to folk clubs because the wild rover is not sung"

We have a two venue evening. Starts off as an open mic in a non licensed premises and people basically play a couple of songs each. Normally what they've been preparing and it is a good eclectic mix where everyone is listened to. Then at 10:30 we go into the local and have an informal pub session which tends to be a mixture of singer/guitarists and traditional fiddlers/pipers etc against a vibrant pub atmosphere. You can guarantee that someone in the pub will request the Wild Rover and that it will go down a storm with everyone in the place singing. May not be for purists but people have good fun.