Well for that particular song, The Rose of Allendale (or Allandale) I'm never sure what is the "right rhythm" as the first version I ever heard was by the Corries and they do it in 4/4/ time, whereas in English sessions it seems to be sung slower and in 3/4.

One thing that really gets up my nose is having 4/4 tunes made into oom-ching-ching waltzes, notably "A Man's a Man for A' That" - it nearly makes me throw up every time I have to play it!