The original source of this epic, which has appeared on several other boards (fRoots and Traditional Song Forum) appears to have been Patrick Nielsen Hayden's blog

http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/006448.html#006448

several weeks ago. (Have to agree that it certainly is a bit overly long). Incidentally, I thought there had already been postings on Mudcat about this particular piece de resistance?