I learned this song from a folk music collection my guitar teacher had me using when I was a kid. It had a different melody than the pop version, and in fact I learned before the pop version came out (it's been that long since I was a kid). The old version still has merit, but I find audiences are not swayed - they want the pop melody, although they'll accept a wide variety of arrangement. It's a good song.

I must say, in my travels I was amazed to see the popularity it has in the karaoke bars of China. It was a favorite in Beijing, Chensha, and other PRC cities I visited ... ranking right up there with Unchained Melody and I Did it My Way! Who'd a thunk it???