ripov: "... And it is sung because folks WANT to sing it. That surely is folk. God save the queen has not; most people don't want to sing it - even musicians hate it - and I totally agree it is not folk! (I've never tried leading off with it in a session though - nor am I likely to!"

A few years back, as a rather nervous newbie at a 'mediaeval banquet' during a folk music weekend, I was suddenly picked on by 'King Arthur', on pain of forfeit - for no apparent reason that I could see! - to perform a song for the assembled company.

So, thinking quickly, I faced His Majesty, went down on one knee, and sang the beginning of 'God Save Our Gracious King'.

It seemed to go down very well! Was that folk music? :-)