since the Watersons recorded it in 1964, and Folkie dave is clearly part of the folk revival, I am not surprised he sings it the way he does.
Patrick Kelly [ West clare fiddle player remarked]that the worst thing that happened to clare fiddle playing was the advent of Micheal Colemans recordings on 78rpm.everyone emulated Sligo style and Coleman.Itseems like the same thing may have happened with THE Holmfirth Anthem.,and the Watersons.