Well I live in Yorkshire about 8 miles from Holmfirth and I will be singing it every Sunday at from November 19th the Royal Hotel at Dungworth as I have done for the past 35 years and we sing "Swain" as well. The idea that it should be "dear" rather than "swain" simply to rhyme is strange since none of the other verses have such a rhyme.

Second verse is "adore" and "dear", third verse is "lambs" and "grow".

It is sung - as many songs are - in different ways by different people. You are extremely lucky in knowing which is the "correct version" - I wish I was so sure. If by traditional we accept that songs are moulded and changed then how can there be a "correct version"?

And since you are fond of saying Child's ballads are traditional then he has numerous versions of many songs. How do you decide which is the correct version?