G'day Muttley (and Jerry & Stewie),

The problem with the folk tales about punishment (I hadn't heard it elevated to execution ... until now ...) for singing / whistling / whatever "The Wearing of the Green" is that Dion Boucicault composed the song for his musical play Arrah-na-Pogue - and pinched the existing tune from a Scottish song. The play was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Dublin on 7 November 1864 - so "The Wearing of the Green" first appears after all but the last remnants of convict servitude - only remaining in West Australia.

The old tale has had currency for many years - sometimes not far from my area of concern - but it doesn't match the facts.

Regards,

Bob