Yes, as Shonagh notes, the song varies down the years from 17 to 16. American versions of "Sixteen Come Sunday" are not uncommon.

I was going to say, Looks like lasses ripen a year earlier in America? (Ireland too, it seems; no wonder the contraception laws had to be eased.)

This could be of strong significance for social science, especially given the spate of articles since the 1990s, including one Time cover, lamenting? early puberty in our day of hormones in everything.

I assume, though, that "Fifteen Come Sunday" would be against the statutes.

Bob