Hi, Richard. I agree with you that it's puzzling. I tried reading it in singable English but lost interest. In "James Reilly" tales the stranger reveals himself to be the long-absent lover, apparently so mature and work-hardened as to be unrecognizable.

But in this ballad, the lady had borne the stranger's baby, and he still hadn't re-appeared, much less revealed himself. At that point I gave up reading.