Thanks, Kenny! I really appreciate your response.

The last two lines still seem odd to me, especially in the context of Archie Fisher having described this song as a shape shifting ballad:

So, it's apparently NOT that he aimed at the bonnie white bird and missed her, instead hitting his daughter, Elaine. Rather, I'd assume that the bonnie white bird WAS his daughter. But if so, how come the arrow harm-ed her (the bird) not? Do we assume that at the moment of impact, the bird is no longer his daughter, and flies away, unharmed, while his daughter is left dead with an arrow in her heart? I guess that's the idea. I didn't know that's how shape shifting worked. :-)

I'd be interested if anyone else has thoughts on this. Otherwise, I suppose this is how I'll sing it. Thanks again!!

--Ellen