John Foreman's version, to be heard on an LP I have called "The 'Ouses In Between", and which I have often heard him perform live, is indeed excellent. BUT it takes liberties with Le Brunn's original tune, & combines the first four lines of some verses as written with the last four of others [look back at the print-outs above & you will see it has the sort of structure which will make this a viable option]. And Gus Elen, the original singer,at least according to a Topic LP I have of his songs, would (sometimes at least) do likewise. And so do most of those who ever perform this song (including me); often in combinations according to taste.

I would argue that this sort of treatment has given the song a certain quasi-traditional status.