Hi,

Since I'm working on putting versions of Child ballad on my site, it occurred to me that there should be a system for titling ballads and folk songs that should be recognized as an accepted way to title ballads and folk songs.

Is there a system? What is it?

For example, many of the folk songs collected, do not have a local title. So collectors would say, "That's Child 74; Fair Margaret and Sweet William. They would assign the name of ballad the generic Child ballad title.

If there's no local tile, what title should be assigned? What if the title has completely different names that the generic title?

Should the title be based on what is sung? the way the informant sings (pronounces) it? After all this is how Mike Yates got his "Far in the Mountain" title (Fire in the Mountain/ Fire on the Mountain).

What if the local title is wrong (like "Far in the Mountain")? should it be changed?

Should local tiles be used over generic ones?

TY

Richie