Ironically, in view of all that has been said here about 'pop', and the baleful influence of broadsheets on 'folk', Peabody, one of the earliest people to gather material from African Americans, as reported in the same Journal of American Folklore, moaned about the fact that they were singing popular ballads such as 'Goo goo eyes' and May Irwin's bully song. That wasn't what he wanted to 'collect'. But at least he did report it, albeit couched in commentary that is at times wince-making and drawing on adverse stereotypes.


But I'm not going down this potentially fascinating thread drift avenue any further. Sorry if I started it; did want to make the point about Gerould before reading more of him, which I shall.


It's raining! Bliss.