The
"arm in arm along the road
Like sister and brother"
version grew hugely popular in English folk clubs in the 60's. The Clancy's took it over and made it popular in America as well. also in Ireland. There were of course American versions going strong before that, one notably to the tune that Dominic Behan borrowed for "The Patriot Game", and then Bb Dylan used it for "With God on their Side".
   The "sister and brother" version was collected from the Cantwell family in Standlake, Oxfordshire. There were two brothers I believe, and one was called Aubrey Cantwell, and I had the pleasure of recording him sing the song in the Bell in Standlake, c 65. I think it was probably Peter Kennedy who had been there first, and he had passed this song on into the folk revival a while before.
    Surprisingly, Aubrey didnt sing "arm in arm along the road" at all, as we all did. He sang
"They went arming along the road
Like sister and brother".
   Not only did I hear Aubrey sing this classic song, a magic and defining moment of my life, I also saw a nightingale in Stoke a couple of years ago. Or at least I think I did.
    And, to move a little bit to the east, away from the nightingale/rossignol etc. Dont forget Abdul the Bulbul Ameer: Bulbul means nightingale. I also have a fantastically beautiful record also of an Afghan singer called Said singing a song about a bulbul.