Malcolm,

Sorry I don't have a date nor a source. I heard it often as a child. It's on David Hammond's Album " Belfast Street Songs" RCA Victor RLP 8059 - the liner notes describe it as a local version of a classical ballad" The Cruel Mother". unfortunately that's all I can find. I don't know the origin of "The Pound Loney" but I know the area well. I will be there in about 4 weeks, if I have enough time I will try to find out more. I am only guessing when I say that it may derive from a laneway(Lonan) where stray dogs were locked up ?.