Another recording can be found on Robin Dransfield's "Tidewave" album.

As to its origin, I've always had a suspicion that it might have something to do with a Cornish soldier returning from duty on the NorthWest Frontier of India. Why else bring in "the beauty of Kashmir", which is as remote a concept for a Cornish highwayman to come up with as I can think of.

Cornwall is not noted for "caves in yonder mountains" - caves in cliffs, yes, in mountains, not that I know of. Relocate the narrative to refer to Kashmiri brigands, and it seems to me to make more sense.

Except for the "stand and deliver" which doesn't sound very Kashmiri, but could be a later addition.

The tune has a hymn-like quality, and you could almost hear a Salvation Army band playing it, were it not for the rising cadence on the last "away", which is more reminiscent of the a capella carol tradition of South Yorkshire.

If only we could impose version control on songs, "Mudsoft Sourcesafe for Folksongs"!