Jon W said

"Shambles, why do you think it would be dishonest to sing "cornbread, peas, and black molasses"? If you acknowledge the tradition whence it arises, I don't see anything dishonest about it. I think the key is empathy. If you can feel similar feelings to those that engendered a particular song in the first place, even though your circumstances might be different in the particular, why shouldn't you sing the song?"

I agree with the above,. I think maybe the word honest was not the right word. All I was trying to do is make the comparison between the a song from my country, and one from yours. I would enjoy singing your one more, on a purely musical basis, but have never tasted cornbread or molasses. I feel I could sing it, but not sell it. I'm sure to you it would sound a little like Billy Bragg singing the 'Star Spangled Banner'. I could probably do a better job on 'The Nutting Girl' but wouldn't want to.?

Jon W also said "For example, I'm an American and have a lot more English ancestory than Scottish or Irish. But if I can feel sadness at the loss of national freedom through the economic betrayal by the nation's leaders, why shouldn't I sing the anti-English Scots song "Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation" even though the particular circumstances are quite different? And if I change a few of the words to better fit the present circumstances, well, that's the folk process, isn't it?"

I think a few Burn's fans may call it sacrilige? *Smiles*

I've always thought of it as more anti-Scots, than anything.

Bert said

"I would like to think that the point that you are making is that 'we should sings all kinds of songs from many different places' If that is so then I'll agree with you."

Yes, that is what I was trying to say, but more. If a nationality of a song is obvious, in it's style or content, then so be it, but let's not struggle to find one for it, as that may prevent it from belonging to us all.

I think there is a clear distinction between tradition and music. They are both important, but not the same thing. Music forms part of that tradition but is bigger than those traditions.

I think we limit music, when we prefix it with anything, be it traditional, classical, bad, Martian or whatever.

Margarita

I like the idea of the colour spectrum very much. It should allow us all to agree. No need to be so humble.

Sam

Thanks for your contribution, it appeared just as I posted this. I will read it and digest.