"I really don't see much reason in pursuing this song other than to prove Bert a charlatan - that maybe worth the effort to some..."

Jim, I don't think anyone here is trying to prove Bert a charlatan. All of us have expressed admiration for his work as an arranger of old songs, and for the quality of the writing in his FSE. The 'Weaver' song that Vic brought up (which I remember Steve Mayne, an old friend of Bert's, singing in Manchester during the 1980s) is yet another example of the kind of thing that was so fascinating about the 'Bertsongs' thread: the detective work involved in unpicking his editorial process.

If his historical analysis had rested to any significant extent on songs that he’d altered himself, that of course would be a serious problem. As far as FSE goes, this isn’t the case (barring possibly two examples amongst a vast number). His earlier published work was probably less scrupulous. Those flaws need to be acknowledged while praising Lloyd’s enormous contribution.