Thanks to everyone for all the references, information and thoughts. Whew! lots to digest and think about and follow up...

Seems to me after reading all of this thread and the other one mentioned, that there may well be 3 (at least) separate songs (Well below the valley, Maid and Palmer, Jesus met a woman), but they have so very much in common, in terms of lyrics, symbolism and structure, they must derive from the same roots, whatever those are/were (the bible story?).

Yet it's interesting that none of the Child manuscripts, the Glenbuchat ballad, the bible story and American song versions (whether related or not) include the element of incest. This first (only?) appears in Reilly's Irish version, implying it was added as a reflection of Irish society/religious repression - though surely this social ill wasn't unique to Ireland?

Can I just clarify from what various people have said above - so 2 recordings of Reilly singing it were made by Munnelly, one (1969) used for the VotP recording, and another (1970) that was printed in the Bronson 1976 book - have I got this right?

No one has yet really commented much on symbolism - of the lily, the bushes, the well, etc - any thoughts?

Nerd/Malcolm - hmmm, a new punishment (7 years pregnancy) appears in that version - heavy stuff!