Did Tommy Makem actually get paid royalties for this?

If so somebody needs to figure out how to get them back.

Hall and Buchan's note that it "has strong music-hall connections" sounds right - and if so, there's good chance it's still in copyright to a Scottish music-hall singer of the early 20th century.

I presume Makem got it from either the Corries or from Hall and Buchan's "Scottish Folksinger" book - both were very widely available all over the world. Integrity my arse.