This has long, long been my favorite ballad and one of the first I ever learned. From MacColl. I liked it even more when I learned how Scots tend to sing it.Eg, Enoch Kent.

Now, I'll be singing it this Tuesday since James V (Scotland) was born Apr 10, 1512 (d.12/14/1542). Of course, I know that neither did he write it, nor is it about him and it likely predates him all together - but so what? Happy Jim's birthday this Tuesday.

A question re the verse (similar to above):

Meanwhile far oot ower yon lea,
Fu' snug in a glen where nane could see,
The twa wi' muckle sport and glee
Frae a new cheese cut a whang.   [slice]

What's that last line mean? Well, the meaning's obvious from context but has anyone a notion how it's derived?
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BTW, as to it's placement in "The Canon," even Bronson finds it "difficult to guess why" it was placed at 279 Appendix, textually or musically. It's much closer to 280.

The 'z' in Gaberlunzie seems to just be a misprint for a` 'y'. Not uncommon to have (and carry forward) misprints in them days. They didn't often use Spellchek.