'We will never really know who and how these songs were made, but even with what little evidence we have, we can take an educated guess. This, I am convinced can only be achieved by tackling the problem holistically; by examining the makers familiarity with and use of vernacular language, phrases and sayings, trade practices and tools, folklore and superstition; the identification of the singers to their songs, subject matter and the reason for choosing it. You also need to look at literacy and the attitude to it contemporary to the probable period they were made – extremely complicated, even within living memory.'

I couldn't have put it better myself, Jim. These are some of the major factors I have used in coming to my conclusions, with perhaps the exception of one point.