Hi,

Jim- Mondegreens, a mis-hearing of words, are a part of folk songs as they are a part of music. "Corruption" is simply a word describing the folk variance or folk process which is ballad re-creation, obviously nothing is correct or incorrect, it simply shows the process- it sounds harsh but it's a commonly used word. I personally don't like "corruption" much and should use another word. Just because everyone uses it doesn't mean it should be used.

Do you think that "Christmas" is perhaps derived from "Martinmas"?

Richie