Regarding Moore's poem/song. I don't think the importance of the melody is clear:

1. The melody "Lough Sheeling" (after the lake, "Lough Sheelin") is used by Moore and is the same melody first identified with "Molly Bawn."
Edward Bunting (1773-1843) the Irish collector used is at least three time in his manuscripts and it was the first melody used by student harpists.

2. The Gaelic "Mairi Bhan" which means "Fairhaired Mary," (see the O'Carolan composition around 1734) is an English corruption of "Molly Bawn."

3. What does this line by Moore mean: "Come, rest in this bosom, my own stricken deer," (stricken fawn)

4. Or the line, "I but know that I love thee, whatever thou art." Implying that he knows not what she is, a fawn, and animal spirit?

5. Or "And thy Angel I'll be, 'mid the horrors of this," what horrors? Being shot by your lover?

Moore takes the melody of "Molly Bhan"- he knows the story. Poets are not obvious- at least good ones- however it seemed obvious to me,

Richie