It has dawned on me that the version of the song that Celtic Bard was listening to was by myself. Basically the same as that given by Susanne, and as sung by Dominic Behan, with a slight modification. When Behan sang it the word "slan" was spread over nine or ten notes. I found this uncomfortable. The printed version I had was in C. Desmond Greaves' book "The Easter Rising in Song and Ballad" which instead of Behan's "sla-a-a-a-a-a-n" had "slan libh, slan libh, slan libh, slan libh". I didn't find this much easier so I changed it to "slan libh, a chairde, slan libh". If I had to translate this it would be as, "farewell, my friends, farewell". I am usually reluctant to make any conscious changes to other people's work but there was nobody around from whom to ask permission.

The book by Greaves (also the author of a biography of James Connolly) is a small but excellent piece of work, including along with the history and thirty-odd songs a brief essay on the nature of the songs. This is the publishing information for the addicts among you:

"First published in 1980 by Stanmore Press Ltd., under their associated imprint: Kahn and Averill for the Workers' Music Association, 236A Westbourne Park Road, London W11"

As regards Big Tim's questions, it is "fear not", though with my accent and diction it would be hard to tell the difference.

I'm afraid I know absolutely nothing about Sean Barlow but I would guess that this melody is the result of formal music education rather that immersion in the folk song tradition. Not, of course, that the two are mutually exclusive.