TY Steve for the music, I'll look at it tonight. I also emailed this to you:

I'm trying to better understand the broadside creation especially in regard to this ballad- I realize that there is some speculation. The question is: Can one assume that the broadside was written from an extant traditional ballad? In this case there are three broadsides that are somewhat distinct.

If there is no earlier ballad then how do we explain only parts of the broadside surviving? Why aren't the missing stanzas found in North America? Why are there different broadsides?

If you can post your thoughts on this Steve (or anyone) it would be a great help,

TY

Richie