What I have to offer on this subject comes from Herbert Hughs, who collected and arranged four volumes of "Irish Country Songs". In the preface to the first volume, (1909), he wrote, "Musical scholars, as well as political experts, are apt to forget that the history of Ireland is not the history of England. They forget that over a thousand years ago Ireland was the most highly educated country in Western Europe, and that even in her decadence, her contemporary literature and folk-music still have qualities that are peculiar to her, and do not quickly respond to the influence of antipathetic forces."... in volume III, which contains THE RED HAIRED MAN'S WIFE, I quoted parts of his preface of 1934 regarding allegorical names for Ireland. (This is in the previous thread.) Hughes referred to Katharine Tynan's poem. The English words to the air THE RED HAIRED MAN'S WIFE, were written by Katharine Tynan. He makes the note under ROISIN DUBH (Little Black Rose), "Roisin Dubh *pronounced Rosheen Doov, was one of the many secret or allegorical names by which Ireland was referred to in bardic literature and folk-lore. See note on 'The Red Haired Man's Wife'". Here are her words, as written in the arrangement of the music by Herbert Hughes.

THE RED HAIRED MAN'S WIFE
Katharine Tynan (Her name is spelled Katherine in the preface, and then Katharine on the page of music.)

Though full as 'twill hold of gold the harvest has smiled
I'll never have relief from grief for that fond grey-eyed child
Whom kindred most cruel poor jewel into loveless wedded life,
With anguish be it told have sold to be the Red Haired Man's Wife.
That fond valentine of mine a letter I sent
That I'd soon set sail with stores galore to wed her 'ere Lent
Her friends stole the note I wrote and far worse than with knife
Have slain my bright pearl for a churl: She's the Red Haired Man's Wife
Oh child and sweetheart their art had you but withstood
Till I had come home o'er the foam for our great joy and good
I had not now to go under woe o'er the salt sea's strife
A wand'rer to France from the glance of the Red Haired Man's Wife.

Well, there it is. Rather awkward and hard to follow the train of thought, so it is no wonder other verses have been written to the tune. Maybe someone else can enlighten us more on Katherine (Katharine?) Tynan. My interpretation is a lament for Ireland being "sold" off by kindred and friends (traitors) in a loveless marriage to England. Alice in Montana