This is a Child ballad, well documented in the usual places, e.g... Wikipedia: The Lochmaben Harper Child: Google Books Bronson: Google Books Mainly Norfolk: Lochmaben Harper / The Blind Harper / The Wanton Brown Roud: Roud no. 85 I too first heard it from the singing of Nic Jones, in or around 1973. He sang it on the John Peel (radio) show as well, of which I have but a fragment on tape (last couple of verses only, late with switching on the recorder!). Nic's arrangement is very nimble and appealing! - Tony
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