Feeling more awake now, so here are some more details. There's a version of the Burns' song here in the DT: When Wild War's Deadly Blast and a longer version posted in this thread: Lyr Req: The Deadly Wars (R Burns/Celtic Thunder) (from The Works of Robert Burns: With an Account of His Life, And a Criticism on His Writings, Volume 4). The song was published in 1793. The Mill, Mill O (also here in the DT: The Mill, The Mill O, from MacColl) appeared in Johnson's Scots Musical Museum, No.242 in vol 3, which takes us back to 1771. There's a version of The Mill, Mill O in Orpheus Caledonius, 1733. The tune is in two parts, and the second part is definitely part of the tune in question. The first part not quite so much. It was also printed in the Musical Miscellany vol 6, 1731: The Mill Mill O, with the same tune as in the Orpheus. I'll have to leave it there (my dog's getting more insistent!). Jack may be able to offer more help on the early origins. Mick
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