Sorry 'bout that (and the damned doule posting)
Washed up the tea things and had my shower
Richard
"origins", or to refer to the "source singer"
I refer to origins
I don't wish to te-tread the arguments above, but for the sake of those who were not around or have forgotten

My introduction to this argument (seems a lifetime ago)was when I quoted MacColl's statement at the end of The song Carriers;

"Well, there they are, the songs of our people. Some of them have been centuries in the making, some of them undoubtedly were born on the broadside presses. Some have the marvellous perfection of stones shaped by the sea's movement. Others are as brash as a cup-final crowd. They were made by professional bards and by unknown poets at the plough-stilts and the handloom. They are tender, harsh,, passionate, ironical, simple, profound.... as varied, indeed, as the landscape of this island.
We are indebted to the Harry Coxes and Phil Tanners, to Colm Keane and Maggie MaccDonagh, to Belle Stewart and Jessie Murray and to all the sweet and raucous unknown singers who have helped to carry our people's songs across the centuries"

I was accused by one of the 'print origin' advocated of being 'starry eyed for believing "such romantic nonsense"
The song Carriers covered the whole known repertoire of foldk-song, from the Frog and the Mouse", the first folk song named in print in 1550 as being sung bty shepherds, to a song describing the death of an Irish labourer killed in Birmingham during the blitz
You really couldn't get more comprehensive than that.
After a while, the argument changed - my protagonist said he only meant the songs collected in the latter half of the 19th century when he claimed 90 plus percent of them had originated in print for money
Ist goal shift

I've always accepted MacColl's statement on the spread of composers
When Roud's book came out, the term had been re-defined to include everything the folk sanf (presumably everything from the National anthem and 'Hymns ancient and Modern to 'You'll Never Walk Alone'
Another major goal shif which, for me, removes the sociali uniqueness of the music I have spent my laife following

Sorry
Can't finish - duty calls
Will continue tomorrow
Jim