One confusing thing is that the Clancys & co. will call it an Irish song, and it isn't, but American of course. [They do this sort of thing all the time, **** them!]--but there is maybe a reason, i.e. that it was recorded, in the same version. many years ago by Delia Murphy, Irish singer [and composer, it seems, of "The Spinning Wheel"]. But she got it from an American singer; so there.