"I suggested to you, Jim -- politely and sincerely -- that you write a book."
Why?
I really have nothing to add to what I have said here - nobody knows what the origins of any single folk song are, there are a few strong possibilities, but beyond that, the only chance anybody has of making sense of folk songs is to cary out a full assessment of all that has been said in the past, examine the only solid evidence we have - the songs themselves, those on paper and those in recorded form, as living entities rather than dead texts and debate them in friendly terms - everything not just the current flavour of the month.
Nobody here appears to want to believe the folk as serious contenders for having made thse songs, which saddens me deeply
It is an accusation that has lurked behind society's thinking since folk songs (particularly the ballads) first raised their inconvenient head
Based on our work among 'the folk', I have come to a pretty firm observation that is not ony possible, but highly probable
These debates cannot possibly achieve anything while people approach books like 'Fonk Song in England' as uncritically a they have done here - if this is true, this is the last place for serious debate.
I have made a point here (with some difficulty - I'm well aware of having a short fuse) of not insulting anybody or blowing my top
I have made my points as clearly as I can and have constantly requested responses - few have been forthcoming
If it has been a two-horse race it is because people have been happy for it to be - summed up somewhat succincly by Howard's "Rather than kick any more hornets' nests I'll say no more than that."
Steve and I are at opposite ends of teh argument (sort of), though my desire here has been more interested to discuss his "two way street" origins of folk song than he is prepared to.
If the rest of you choose not to participate, sorry, but that's down to you - nuffin to do with Steve and I
I've always found the academic world an odd one - 'facts' are changed as often as underwear
One day Child is a ballad guru, next minute he is an "elitist" who cant's distinguish his poetic arse from his elbow.
It's like a jockey in a race using his whip on an opponents horse
Not for me, I'm afraid
I remember clearly the hostility that greeted Dave Harker's book, because of his attitude to researchers of the past, I was part of that hostility
Now, here we go again - same theories in different clothes - the folk didn't make folk song and the suggestion that they did was based on agenda driving and ignorance of past researchers.
People are forever welcome to access our collection and I live for the next opportunity to discuss our work, but to joint the academic freemasonry and add yet another hobby horse to a going-nowhere race - thanks, but no thanks
Jim Carroll