"I bet you arguing about the definition could clear a room full of folkies quicker than my singing."
Some people get pleasure from arguing, some from singing, some from just listening - I'm lucky to enjoy all three.
There seems to be a disturbing (I find it disturbing) tendency to argue that we shouldn't think about, discuss, or seek to learn about the music we're involved in.
Irish singing has it's problems at present, but a couple of weks ago we spent an extremely enjoyable two days at Limerick Uni at a traditional song conference.
Some of the best and most skillful singing there came from young lecturers and students who could sing the socks off most of the singers I've heard from the U.K. in a long time - they loved the songs well enough to make a good job of them and knew about them - a magic combination.   
The highlight of the trip was in the students bar on Tuesday night.
Crammed full of young people who had nothing to do with the conference, we were told that we wouldn't get enough attention for a session, but when somebody started to sing - complete attention for two and a half hours.
When the bystanders were asked to sing, we got eight young people, four from Ireland, two from Europe, a Mexican and a Brazilian - all singing traditional from their home place songs well.
Folk song proper no longer has a relevance - not in my experience.
Anybody who has any doubt about youngsters getting involved in traditional singing should try the Sunday night singing sessions at The Cobblestone in Smithfield, Dublin - youngsters singing with the enthusiasm and skill that first brought me into the revival.
While evenings like that happen, I'll keep arguing, if it's all right with you.
Jim Carroll