From the notes to the Penguin Book (1959):
"This ballad was evidently a great favourite, for versions of it were printed on balladsheets by many printers in England, Scotland and Ireland. Several versions have been found in the Northeast and the upland South of America. The hero is variously given as Young Edwin, Young Edward, and Young Edmund. Mrs. Hopkins's tune is sometimes used for the carol, Come All You Worthy Christians ¹ (e.g. FSJ vol.I, p.74). It appears to be related to the well-known Dives and Lazarus melody (perhaps both are descended from a common ancestor) ². Other English versions have been reported from oral tradition in Sussex (FSJ vol.I, p.124), and Hampshire ³ (Folk Songs from Hampshire, G.B. Gardiner, 1909). A Canadian set collected by Maud Karpeles is given in FSJ vol.VIII, pp.227-8." -R.V.W./A.L.L.
This version was collected by Charles Gamblin and Ralph Vaughan Williams from Mrs. Hopkins of Axford, Basingstoke, Hampshire, in 1907, and was first published in the Folk Song Journal, vol.III, p.266.
There is another version on the DT:
Edward in the Lowlands Collected by Cecil Sharp from Mrs. Jane Gentry, Hot Springs NC, in 1916.
DT #330
Laws M34
@courting @elope @murder @family @dream @premonition @sailor
There is an entry at The Traditional Ballad Index:
Edwin (Edmund, Edward) in the Lowlands Low
Some other titles:
Young Edmond Dell
The Lowlands Low
The Ploughboy of the Lowlands
Young Emma
Young Emsley
² See, in particular, two posts from Bruce Olson on the subject: Note re. Gilderoy/ Dives & Lazarus/ Star of the County Down tune family and .abc of Gilderoy, from D'Urfey's Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1719; apparantly the earliest known version.
³ The Hampshire version referred to above may be seen, with tune, at Lesley Nelson's Folk Music site:
Young Edwin in the Lowlands Low
There are two American versions at the Max Hunter Folk Song Collection:
Young Emily Mrs. Pearl Brewer in Pocahontas, Arkansas on May 27, 1959; with soundfiles.
Young Edward, The Driver Boy Mr. Fred High in High, Arkansas on February 11, 1959; with soundfiles.
There is a Newfoundland version (no tune given) at Burin Peninsula District Drama:
Edwin in the Lowlands Low, Or Young Edmund "Sung by Mrs. Curran at Conception Harbour, 23rd October, 1929".
There are a number of broadside texts at Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads. Where duplicate copies exist, I have linked to the most easily legible.
Young Edwin in the Low Lands Low Printed between 1842 and 1855 by W. Jackson & Son, (late J. Russell,) 23, Moor Street, Birmingham.
Young Edwin in the Lowlands Low Printed between 1849 and 1862 by H. Such, 123, Union Street, Boro' S.E., and at 83, White Cross St., St. Luke's, London.
Young Edwin in the Lowlands Low Printed between 1813 and 1838 by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth Court, Seven Dials, London.
Young Edwin in the Lowlands Low Printed by R.G. Edwards, West Street, Leominster.
Young Edwin of the Lowlands Low Printed between 1796 and 1853 by Swindells, Manchester
Young Edmund in the Lowlands Low Printed between 1819 and 1844 by J. Pitts, Wholesale Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6, Gt. St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials, London.
These last are all large images.
¹ Lyrics for Come All Ye Worthy/Faithful Christians may at present be found at Rick's Music Pages:
Come All Ye Worthy Christians
or at Sabine Baring-Gould and the Folk Songs of South-West England (PDF file with lyrics and staff notation).
Malcolm