Like Freda, I learned the song (in Melbourne) at school; in my case it was in the late 40s-early 50s. One of the heavies who published the monthly "newspaper" sent to primary school students in Victoria was very keen to have us learn Oz traditional songs in amongst the English maypole and Celtic folk dances taught by our PE teachers. Over the years I've sung (and heard sung) almost all the permutations and combinations above (even to the Tramps and Hawkers tune) but I've never heard "prairies" or "mockingbirds" mentioned in any of them.

And, yes, tangledwood, both the Irish and the Australians have proved adept at acquiring good songs and turning them to good use.

Cheers, Rowan