The whole issue of ownership of Traditional songs is annoying as can be. As a performer I deliberately do Covers, to encourage audience participation. I always do it my way though. There are no "babes" in my cover of MACK THE KNIFE. MACK THE KNIFE is my favorite murder ballad. The original was written for "The Beggars Opera" in 1728 by John Gay. The main character was MacHeath, -Based upon the exploits of one Jack Sheppard. Weill and Brecht Published their version in conjunction with "Die Dreigroschenoper", in German. Within five years it had been translated into 18 languages. Many many people have covered this song over the years. From Satchmo to Darren to Buble different versions have been published, not including parodies. John Willet re-translated Brecht's lyric in the 1970s(?). Here is the last stanza:

And the child bride in her nightie,
Whose assailant's still at large
Violated in her slumbers-
Mackie how much did you charge?

You sure don't hear that version very often!

I do not pretend to know the current regulations for copyright of songs. I think the "original author and their heirs are entitled to compensation for 100 years after the death of the composer". I may be wrong about this. And this is in the USA, not Britain and certainly not in China.

I have "run" several folk clubs over the years. Occasional some jerk makes a stink about BMI or ASCAP royalties. Lots of extra work to do when one wants to enjoy the music! Songs in the Public Domain Do the copyright holders get the money when their song is performed? Not bloody likely!

I do not like but do admire what Patty and Mildred Hill, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU - 1893; did to protect their Intellectual property rights. In one specific instance in February 2010, these royalties were said to amount to $700. Not bad for a six note song, Ehh! Happy Birthday to You

Enough of my rants. Lets talk about The new Version of "Rise Up Singing", Joe is working on. Peter Blood and Annie Patterson "wrote" the original, Based upon "Winds of the People". Presumably Sing Out will be publishing this. Mark Moss is currently the head of Sing Out, or whatever the name of the publishing company is. He has published some revised editions over the years. All of the people mentioned above are living, (AFAIK), All of them are interested in getting the songs out to the people. What kind of copyright or disclosures should be made in publishing the new book to protect the financial interests of the parties involved but allow public use of the materials by us without the intervention by greed heads. Maybe it should be published in China?