I have only just caught up on the correspondence regarding this song (because I'm totally useless on computers). My paternal grandmother knew the song, so did my mother, and I have sung it to my daughter and grandson. I probably still have the record somewhere by Edward Johnson (released 1919) and certainly have a copy of it on cassette tape.
I believe the song was written in 1857, though some sources give a later date. It's curious to find it suddenly popular again on the Folk scene,and interesting how little it's changed over the years. I'm glad to confirm that the lyrics quoted above are pretty much as originally written and sung. However, the tune used by modern performers is slightly at variance from the one used by Edward Johnson and his recording contemporaries. Alas, not being a musician I cannot show you the differences on paper, but it's great to see a song I've always loved back in circulation again.

Kind regards everybody.