Tim - I'll hazard a guess that you may be talking about Tom Bliss and his version ('Rue') of Mary Humphreys 'No My Love Not I', made from various other songs that Mary found in The Vaughn Williams Library?

If so there is no comparison with The White Hare.

The tune of 'Rue' remains unchanged from the original, and is clearly Trad however you look at it. Also, all the key lyrical phrases in both Mary and Tom's versions are traceable back to the various collected works - and Tom and Mary list all of these in their sleeve notes, web sites and stage intros (time permitting), so people can go back to these sources if they choose to.

The White Hare would equate better to another of the songs on Tom's solo album: Gentle Maids Ashore. This borrows various lyrical and melodic ideas from various traditional songs, to give it an authentic feel, but Tom does not attribute these in his notes (though he gives a few clues) because he has clearly crossed the line from arranging to composing. He has made a brand new song with a new tune and words (even though from an existing story - much like Seth's Hare), so it is registered as a Bliss composition, and rightly so in my opinion.

I'm hoping Tom won't mind me using his name like this. He has contributed a little to the debate on the BBC thread - so sorry Tom if not!