While at my local library I was browsing through a book of coal mining poems and stories, I found a poem, only credited as "Traditional", I thought would be pretty good to go with a chord sequence I was having trouble putting my own words to.
So I did just that.
However while researching some of the technical words contained within said poem, I found a link to a web site which states that someone called Harry Boardman has already beat me to it.
I have no idea as to the tune or tempo of his version but as it is described as a ballad, on the aformentioned web site, I'm willing to bet that it's not the same as mine.
My question is this: Does Harry Boardman now have a claim to these Lyrics, or am I ok to use them providing my song doesn't sound the same as his?

Thanks for any advice
Muppitz x