To Murray McLeod:

I think you're right with your comment on "The clay he'd lose" (of course you are), and I figured out that "the secret sign that's known"-thing as well (after reading the poem in its original form).

But regarding the latter I did fail to convince myself that the lines really should be sung this way. Opening the next line with that "to" sounds harsh and uneasy to me, and I would miss having the previous line end with that "secret sign". And after all we got an internal rhyme (or at least kind of it) with the "known"-"known".

I think singing should follow it own rules. The melody does not really fit - so we have to manage with it in one way or another.

P.S.: Interesting thread, and thanks for the original lyrics!

P.P.S.: Luke Kelly (and many followers) did replace the (first) "wooed" with "loved". This alteration should be rejected, too. It may sound familiar and folky, but diminishes rhyme and, what's more, meaning.