I thought in light of recent comments on the YT version posted of Colin's classic singing, I should summarize my thoughts after my investigations in this thread over the years, as to the tune's provenance.

I have always loved this song, but I don’t believe that it can be said that Colin Dryden wrote this gorgeous tune.

My late beloved, Paul Lawler (see YT version), also loved it when he heard Colin sing it at his legendary 1970 performance in Sydney with Extradition (thankfully recorded and available now for ALL to be suitably blown away by!!)
He then learnt it from Colin's No. 1 "fan", Gerry Hallom, who was a mate of both singers!!

However, I have been exploring the provenance of this beautiful melody for quite a few years, and my investigations have shown that its origins are actually earlier than Colin's time as a performer (who arrived in Australia in 1965 at age 22.)   
The setting of ‘Reading Gaol’ to this pre-1952 tune** also predates this and THAT was known around the US Coffee House folk scene pre-1962.

I tried to explain some of the song’s journey in the notes I wrote for Paul's YT recording, referenced above,
and also discussed it, more fully, in THIS Mudcat thread too.

I have also been in contact with both Shayna Stewart and Colan Campbell from Extradition and with Gerry Hallom.
All had just 'presumed' that Colin Dryden had written the tune - and who knows? - maybe Colin was content to let people think that!!! :) though Colan C did say that Colin D never claimed to have written it,
just that it was in his repertoire when Extradition were formed.
So in the end, Colan C. and I have agreed that the closest we could say was that Colin D, “helped evolve” Bayard Rustin’s (already evolved) melody, into the song we now know and LOVE!!

But I fear that unless more of the older folk who were there in those days, can confirm the details - if indeed they are still alive now – we are sadly, never likely to know the truth!!   

I feel we are so lucky to have both recordings by these two lovely English singers (both deceased, and one a Yorkie and one a Lancy, LoL!) –
though of course, I just wish someone had recorded Paul on one of his ‘better’ renditions, like I have heard years ago, but, “them’s the breaks” :)

I feel Naomi (Colin's niece) and I are both on a similar quest, with her to help save and present the excellent music of Colin - and me with Paul's - for posterity!!)

Cheers, R-J :)

** Bayard Rustin (deceased), has been credited with composing "I Saw Her As She Came & Went" to an old lute tune ......



But Now, I really do need my coffee!!! :)