I just have to weigh in again on this old thread. I see a number of harsh comments here about Tommy Makem, based primarily I think on the 1977 copyright date asserted for this tune. It's possible, I suppose, that he decided to claim authorship of an old broadside lyric, though that seems inconsistent with what I know about him (and I don't see anything definitive that supports that argument). But, considering that he came to prominence in the 60s, isn't it possible that he wrote this song in that fertile period, or earlier, but only recorded it later in his career (and only then had the opportunity to assert copyright)? In the same way that lots of people think his Four Green Fields was a traditional song, I can imagine this other great tune being created and sung in the folk world for years, and taking on a life of its own, despite being deliberately written. It's just hard for me to see him in this doubtful light, based on what else I know about his life and his creative stream.