Since the chorus in question appears only ever to have been heard in Hertfordshire, UK, from somebody who didn't know what it meant, any real connection with the American song does seem extremely unlikely on the face of it. If the words turn out to be real Gaelic (and bear in mind that Keith started this thread nearly two years ago; we still haven't seen them) there is always the risk that they may be from somewhere else entirely; or just an early 20th century Highland shopping list added for a laugh. A lot of grandfathers have that kind of sense of humour.