I'm sure I heard Ewan sing this at Soho Square in 1959/60. The version I sing (unaccompanied) I certainly remember in his voice. I've just tried it at the speed I still hear it, and one verse comes out at 34 sec. So 1m 45s sounds about right.

And if he had the melody in his head, instant composition is possible. A friend of mine, Spike Woods, wrote words and music for a 3 min song for my wife. From the time of her request to him delivering a tape with 2 different takes 2 miles away was less than an hour. All he had was the topic - 'Noise'.

Phil