I've found the version which has similarities to that of the Watersons and Martin Simpson (as on his Kind Letters album) collected by the Hammond brothers from Mrs Webb of King's Norton in 1906.

Webbs Wonders

The tune is interesting and not the easiest to learn. No doubt someone will be able to say what mode or modes it encompasses.

The broadside versions mentioned above make interesting reading and fill in some details that makes the story a little more complete, but I undestand what Malcolm says when he says that it "benefitted from the paring down" - I guess that is what makes it an evolving tradition. From my part of view, as I would like to learn the song, I am tempted to take from any of these versions what I think makes a rounded song.