I'll second what Vic said about Jim's contribution. Ditto about reading Roud.

I realised after reading it how my own childhood music experiences singing songs from books round the piano played (not well) by Mum were influenced by folklorists and American songs, including what I now know something about, minstrelsy. I hadn't thought of it quite that way before. And of course, minstrel troupes did come to Britain


Roud refers to 'community singing' and I have a edition of the Ernest Newton Community Song Book (1927ish), which includes Rule Britannia, Ye Banks and Braes, The Harp that Once, Shenandoah, and The Maple Leaf For Ever as well as some labelled 'traditional'.


I googled Wells, and she knew Sharp and taught children dances he taught. That's partly how they financed their trip to Appalachia.

Returning to thoughts raised by Jack: Roud (and this is another gem) explains how libel cases relating to ballads could end up in the Star Chamber, and people are studying these cases. He relates a story about three blokes caught singing something somebody didn't like being punished, including being made to ride backwards on a horse. It wasn't just what the royals thought of your songs you had to watch out for.