I used often to sing this song, learned from The Burl Ives Song Book, about 50+ years ago, as an old schoolfriend recently reminded me. My recollection is that Ives' version began in D-major, then {& I would do it this way also} modulated to the tonic minor for the "died in the millpond' & "old grey gander crying" & "left 9 little gosling" verses, then back to the major for repeat 1st verse; but that most singers didn't do this, but remained in the major thru'out. Is my recollection of these variations in the tune as sung by Burl Ives correct?