The CD on which I found the song, track three with the songwriter's name following the title, was published in Holland in 1998 and was on sale in the supermarket in December (Christmas impulse purchase?) for $4.99 Canadian, under $3.50 US dollars. I am confident that "Merchant" is the song writer because I recognize songs and songwriters listed in the same pattern on the recording. All the material is "digitally remastered" so none of it is recent. Burl Ives half sings half talks through the lyrics. I am still looking also for place and date of origin and who Merchant is. Thanks to all who try to solve this mystery!