My recordings of the song correspond to what Joe Offer posted also.

cptsnapper, I'm having trouble 'hearing' how your verse would scan

This part would fit the pattern of the verses:
"The coyotes howl, the wind is cool,
each star's a pool of water,
cool clear water."
(Though it lacks the internal-rhyme precision of Nolan's other lyrics.)

But this part doesn't seem to fit the pattern and rhyme scheme:
"I gaze at the sky and way up high at night,
My thoughts they wander to cool water."
or
"I gaze at the sky and way up high,
at night my thoughts they wander to
cool water."


Seamus, I always forget whether it's actually "for me and you" or "for you and me" at the end of the chorus, but it seems more natural to sing:
Dan, can't you see
That big green tree
Where the water's running free
And it's waiting there for me
And you.

I guess that's what you meant by the "syllabic scansion" reference. I think it "sings better" for that reason too. (But I doubt that the audience cares one way or the other.)

G