"The OP is obviously not familiar with traditional song of any kind"

Having spent many years going to folk clubs and folk weekends, I'm very familiar with traditional songs of many kinds! And have even been known to perform them myself on occasion.

I did say in my OP that story songs may need more than 5 verses to get the story across. I didn't mean in any way to criticise good, long, traditional songs.

I was speaking more of the whole range of mixed styles heard in many clubs these days: 60s stuff, blues, country, modern songs in the folk style, modern songs in the not-so-folk style, etc. etc. These are the songs that I recommend the 3-5 verses range for.

It's only personal opinion, though. I'm not trying to destroy the folk tradition, and I won't disagree too much with those who hold other opinions! (Well, as long as they don't sing me any 20-verse ballads while I'm waiting to go to the bar, haha!)