"Ewen would have loved to be considered traditional."
Actually, he wouldn't - he was always specific about what was traditional and what wasn't.

And that was why his published book contained the famous quote? "From the singing of Jimmy Miller". Those who know, know. If you don't - do the research.

I happened to speak to Tam Kearny (Fiddlers Green FC Toronto c 1986) he knew the man and was told the story by Ewen of McColl collecting songs from lumberjacks there. He was "amused" (I quote Tam) to collect one of his own songs. "Learned at Grandmother's knee - it was" (it may have been Shoals...). Along with "Please Release Me, Let Me Go". You have to imagine the timing. It was feasible - given the relative ages involved. We know what we know, and assume the rest!!!! see above.