Malcolm = the late Malcolm Douglas, who commented upthread - e.g.

Joe Rae's set has been mentioned several times in this thread. The text differs noticeably from Nic's, but follows the same pattern. The tune I haven't heard. Nic was quite clear that he'd adapted several texts, and Christie's tune; but memory, I suppose, could be faulty. Sheila Douglas' book was published in 1995, and Mike Yates' recording of Joe was released by Musical Traditions in 2001, having been made not long before. Nic originally recorded his set in 1977. Whether he was aware of Joe's version at that time I have no idea. It would be interesting to know if they met back in the 1970s, though it doesn't seem all that likely.

Of course there is no suggestion that Joe was influenced by Nic! I haven't heard him sing the song (which he learned from his grandfather, who learned it during the Boer War), though; and as I said, I've never heard anyone sing it who hadn't got it from Nic at one remove or more.

Worth reading the whole thread. Other comments include:

"As far as as I am aware Nic Jones collected the song from Joe Rae of Beith who is the most wonderful source singer and storyteller."

and

"Joe Rae, from Ayrshire, sang his version of this song on one of Nick Jones' guest visits at Kilmarnock Folk Club in the early seventies."