Folk is born from a yearning for England's Pastoral Dreaming

Hey! Now don't start all that arguing about what Folk is again Blandiver :-)

Seriously though, I don't think that is right is it? Surely, folk, of whatever definition, is born from a need to tell a story in song. Whether that story is of seamen bold or lost loves does not really matter apart from a story is always best told by those who have experienced it. To that end I have to agree with Will that some of the singers would do better to try and relate to their own experience but, on the other hand, some who do not have that experience at all still sing a bloody good tale :-)

I did a bit in the building trade myself as well as being a waiter in a pub and pulling trolleys laden with shirts around a warehouse (don't ask!) but my work life has, luckily, been a pretty cushy number. I sing Shanties, Hunting songs and tales of other things because I don't have the nowse or inclination to write songs of bold UNIX administrators! Still, I do introduce the song starting "Behold in me a Jolly Farmer" with a certain amount of self deprecation:-) After all, how many farmers are there in Salford?

Cheers

DtG