It's a great tune, indeed. But it seems so wide-spread that it's real country of origin may be impossible to determine. I understand and appreciate a song sleuth's interest in origins, but a tune such as this makes you wonder if it really matters in the grand scheme of things. (sort of like Ashokan Farewell) Maybe we could better focus on what there is about it (or any tune) that leads so many peoples to embrace it. How do it's various names in languages other than English translate?