Hello Brian

Harwood also wrote

I have listened to these songs … countless times, and have played several variations of them on my guitar. I have not detected any significant similarity in tune or chord progression. Lyrically, too, the connection is weak. What is similar is the idea of the funeral request. This is very different from a direct correlation.

He also seems to take issue with A L Lloyds view that St James Infirmary is a 'direct' (his emphasis) descendent of 'The Unfortunate Rake'.

I don't think Harwood is denying any/all connection. It is the idea of a direct link (of a parent child type going back in a line like genealogy).

To try to give an analogy: one might have some resemblance to a second cousin several times removed. This does not mean that one is descended from that cousin.