Less than ten years Sandra (and Andrez). The Declan Affley CD was launched at the 2003 National. Colin's CD was (and still is) to be the next essay. I'm working on it OK!? How dare I keep it to myself!
As a great man said "Life is what happens to ya when you're busy making other plans." And the last few years have been a time of big changes in my little life. Settled now in Tasmanistan, looking to be more productive in the music dpartment. (Watch this space?)

And dear Bob, I'm not quite sure what you mean in your last question. Regarding the transmission process - Graham Dodsworth and I have exchanged views on this subject in reference to this very song.
The Dods' webpage is well worth a look BTW.
My own practise with especially but not exclusively 'traditional' songs is to shape them to my own taste, and accent, while maintaining their authenticity. All very subjective of course!
Early 1973, Andrez, Colin and meself shared a house in Nth Carlton, where Colin and I both got stuck into the fiddle (while the other residents locked themselves away, or went out...)
Colin also wrote several good sounding songs, which alas, came and went. I remember one line of one of them.
As he's no longer here, it's up to those of us who knew him to help keep the 'authenticity' of his songs alive, I think.
Dermott makes the point about the northern english 'were' rather than 'was' for example, a small but important detail.