Thanks, Willie-O, for kinda backing me up there . . . ;-)
OK, so Nino Rota isn't a real 'folk' music composer -- or is he? The 'folk' aspect of his movie score(s) for The Godfather series is what attracted me enough to go to the effort of writing the tablature. If you listen to each of the pieces I mentioned on their own, and then imagine them being played by an ensemble other than a symphony orchestra -- voila, Italian folk music!
As to the key(s), I really don't know (see, I still retain my 'folkie' license). I tabbed them all by ear. But, all the pieces are in slow 3/4 / waltz time.
I'm going to try out your 'Cape Breton' turnaround -- I have a feeling that'll work a treat. Thanks!!
But, if anyone else has another idea, I'm open to it. ;-)