Bert's book is, as far as I am concerned, one of the most readable and encouraging introductions to English Folksong I have ever read
Back in 1967, it encouraged me to lift the corner of folk song to see what lay underneath, I'm still doing that
It has its flaws, what pioneering work doesn't, but it remains a fairly precise guide to what folk song is
I was looking forward to Steve Roud ironing out some of the bumps - pity he changed his mind and wrote about something else - still valuable and groundbreaking in its way, but rather than clear up the issues, I feel it has shrouded them in even more confusion
I hope you do read it - and enjoy is as much as I still do
Jim Carroll