Cyril Tawney was responsible ,for passing it into the revival via a recording ,[I believe first to Lou Killen,and then Tony Rose].I believe Tony took it up,after Louis moved to the states
he[Cyril] told me he never actually sang it live,Tony Rose popularised the song as you say,but as a result of hearing Cyrils guitar recording [folk/Lovesongs of Devon?].
I recorded it myself in 1986,and have been singing it at folkclubs and festival since,and have just recorded it again on my new cd.
when I recorded it I made a consciuous effort to do a different song accompaniment to Tony.
If one listens to the two versions,Tonys accompaniment is melody based,my accompaniment[apart from between the verses]relies upon chords and suspensions,and actually uses a different chord progression to that of Tony Rose.
The only similarity is the melody of the song[it is the Wyatt Edgell lyrics/ tune]and the use of the English concertina
I feel and I KNOW Tony felt the same,that the song[like all traditional songs belongs to everyone ,and is there to be sung,which is why I am still singing it after 21 years.
Tony Rose was a fine singer as was Cyril and as Louis still is
but each of their interpretations are different and I would advise the OP to listen to them all.Dick Miles.