Of course, The Lytel Geste of Robyn Hode wasn't actually a folk ballad, nor was it likely ever sung. Even Child says as much in the ESPB. For many of those truly long long Child ballads, there is no tune on record, because Child was rather liberal in some ways about what he included (but very strict in other ways, of course!)So texts got in because they were old, and because their style was similar to ballads...but in all likelihood they were never ballads. The Lytel Geste is one of the few times Child ever comes out and says that a text he put in is not a ballad, however.

I have always loved both singing and listening to long songs, but I think there's a good deal of sense in what Snuffy and Joe have to say; you can't sing ONLY long songs, and you probably won't want to listen to the same thirteen minute ballad over and over again (unless you're trying to learn it!) So the rule is moderation in all things--or at least in some things!