Re American versions of British songs. I think Brian feels the same. What the folk process does to the printed originals is why we are here. They are polished and rounded by the people and the longer they are in the oral tradition the more rounded they become. I'd rather have an American version with 10 concise verses than the original with 20. The tunes also get rounded off as well. Some of the earlier theatrical tunes have far too much ornamentation in my opinion. That's not to say I don't also love the British versions from oral tradition but more often the American ones have passed through more voices. I love lots of Americana when I get chance to listen, bluegrass, blues, Jimmy Rogers, the lot!