I wasn't claiming that the song itself was "folky" (whatever that means), although it has a strong narrative which makes social and cultural point which is perhaps even more relevant in today's gender-flexible times than when it was written. The story is perhaps not a million miles from the countless folk songs about unfortunate sailors who were taken advantage of in some low dive, although in most of them the woman was just that.

You are on dangerous ground when you criticise it for repetition, considering how common that is in traditional song. Even the spelling out of the name has parallels in traditional songs ("and Bingo was his name, sir...")

My real point is that Swan Arcade's performance was "folky" in style, and was entirely at home in a folk club and sat perfectly well alongside traditional songs (which they also sang). That's not just my opinion but that of the many folk club and folk festival organisers who booked them, their audiences who enjoyed listening to them, and Fellside (a reputable folk label) who recorded their albums. It's difficult to think what sort of musical venue would have been more appropriate, if not a folk club.

"all the clubs I was part of had their feet firmly set on the real thing" So were the clubs I was part of, including ones which booked Swan Arcade, and so are the clubs I continue to go to.

The folk scene may not be as strong as it used to be, but the picture is not as bad as you paint, and it is still firmly based on traditional music and music which is stylistically similar. It has always been a broad church, and has included a great deal of music which was not to my personal taste but which I've never felt was a threat to the music I do like.

There are plenty of young people involved, Traditional music isn't going to be forgotten.