There is but one true test to see if it's a James Taylor song! If you can sing the lyrics to "Fire and Rain" to the melody, it's a James Taylor song. Be sure to check out the complete collection of JT ditties in the special archive museum at the James Taylor Catatonic Blandness Rehab Unit located in the new wing of the Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed.

As to the above song, it's obviously not folk as you can tell by comparing it to a folk classic such as:

I WISH I WAS A MOLE IN THE GROUND

I wish l was a mole in the ground.
Yes, I wish I was a mole in the ground:
'F I'se a mole in the ground, l'd root that mountain down,
And I wish I was a mole in the ground.

Oh, Kimpy wants a nine-dollar shawl.
Yes, Kimpy wants a nine-dollar shawl;
When I come o'er the hill with a forty-dollar bill,
'Tis "Baby, where you been so Iong?"

I been in the pen so long.
Yes, I been in the pen so long;
l been in the pen with the rough and rowdy men.
'Tis "Baby, where you been so long?"

I don't like a railroad man.
No, l don't like a railroad man;
'Cause a railroad man they'll kill you when he can,
And drink up your blood like wine.

I wish I was a lizard in the spring.
Ycs, l wish I was a l;zard in the spring;
'F I'se a lizard in the spring, I'd hear my darlin' sing,
An' I wish l was a lizard in the spring.

Come, Kimpy, let your hair roll down.
Kimpy let your hair roll down;
Let your hair roll down and your bangs curl around,
Oh, Kimpy, let your hair roll down.

l wish I was a mole in the ground.
Yes, I wish I was a mole in the ground:
'F I'se a mole in the ground, I'd root that mountain down,
An'I wish I was a mole in the ground.

Now there you have some really brilliant lyrics!!! The complete panorama of intelligent songwriting can be seen here!! Yeah, it's great ain't it? And that Kimpy must be one helluva' looker too! Say, did you ever know anyone named Kimpy? Hmmmmm.........me neither........maybe it's his sheep or something.........

Spaw