Nearly a hundred years ago (in 1907), Cecil J. Sharp wrote in English Folk Song: Some Conclusions (4th ed., rev. by Maud Karpeles, p. xix):

The subject of English folk song has recently been very prominently before the public. Twenty years ago, however, it was only by a very few people that folk songs were known to exist in this country; and even they, probably, were quite unprepared for the developments that have since taken place. At that time, and for several years afterwards, it was generally assumed that we had no folk songs of our own, and that the English peasant was the only one of his class in all Europe who was unable to express himself in terms of dance and song. How, in the face of facts as we now know them, such an amazing misconception could have originated, obtained credence, and escaped disproof for so many years, is an enigma which we will not here attempt to explain. It is enough that recent researches have finally disposed of the grotesque supposition. Those who realize all that this means, and who perceive the fresh prospects that have been brought into view, are naturally jubilant.

~Masato