I can't argue about Bardsong being a good ability... but now in the DS version, I can give that to any character after I get the augment from him later. Edward's biggest problem is that he is weak and fragile. I think his abilities are actually quite useful, just not when he has them.

By my third play through of FFIV DS with all the augments...Three of my characters will have Bard song(Edge, Rosa, Kain), and two will have Salve(Kain, Edge) another two with Hide (Edge, Rosa).

THE JACKEL