Malcolm....There are a number readers here (on Mudcat) who believe most folk songs were written by the "The Anonymous Public".....and not by urban hacks....which I think in part is what Steve G. believes....and this work does increase the likelihood that most Folk Songs were written as Broadsides, etc.. and learned by the rural poor from that source.

That is NOT to say that all songs fit this bill - as some may have been written by "local" singers, etc.....who we don't know and I suspect these are NOT included in Steve list....

Readers who do not like what I have said...so be it.....like you I am unlikely to change my views...I will just continue to sing the songs I like.....whatever their source.

Tim Radford