I learnt this at school more than 30 years ago and absolutely loved it. I'd forgotten the lyrics and tune and was thrilled to find both recently. I've listened to the Ethelbert Nevin version and was not impressed-too operatic and stilted, with no emotion. The John McCormack version is beautiful though. I've also heard that the Irish Rovers did a wonderful recording of this, but it's incredibly difficult to find. It's on the album called something like 'Tales to warm your Heart'(or it may be 'mind'?) The author did write this for his son who died. I think its fine to recite, or preferably sing, this to a child - I found it beautiful when I was little, but, as a Mum now, it is truly heart wrenching.