This song and its close relations were discussed on an off in the New Book: Folk Song in England" thread. See particularly some posts from Steve Gardham and me
this, this, this (but Steve's work didn't get into his Dungbeetle series).

I subsequently exchanged a few emails with him. As far as am aware Stephen Reynolds' work on these songs still remains to be published.

One of the versions has "purling streams". That could have got folk-processed to streamers.