Dick, yes, MacColl and Bogle and many others do write folk songs. I agree. What I disagre with is some songs written by other contemporary writers cannot be performed in a folk style. Jim is fixated on Ed Sheeran but I was only using one of his songs as an example. I still maintain that his "Nancy Mulligan" could be performed by a folk artist and not be out of place in a folk club. Have a listen to it and see if you agree but don't get hung up on just one song. I am talking of the principle that there are many songs that can cross genres. After all, many folk songs have entered the pop charts.