Roy Bailey, whenever I've heard him sing the song, says that the song reminds him of Anne Briggs - he doesn't say it is about her, nor does he say that Richard Thompson links Anne Briggs and the song.

Mind you - it irritates the tights off me that he makes such a big thing about it every time. I know its irrational, but I always feel its a real cheek to pass on such a strong personal association when that was not the intention of the songwriter. Grrr

The Wolfhound bit I assumed to be related to her being on the road with Romany Brown. Its the sort of dog you can imagine alongside of gypsies - and "lurcher" wouldn't trip off the tongue so easy....