not really guest - the reason people flooded into folk clubs in the fifties and sixties was really to do with the stuff they were seeing on the tv - new songwriters. the mass exodus started when the rediscoverers of the tradition started laying down the law.

rather like in this thread. common sense tells us that there were maritime worksongs pre 1830 - tuned at the capstan bars - as RLS puts in Treasure Island). However now we are reliably informed that it was only in 1830 the sailors got the right to call the songs sea shanties.

breath taking.....