it certainly is a testing song to sing,it is pretty important to have a note to pitch as it has a big range,it is also a difficult song to sing without making it over sentimental so to sing it with sentiment requires understatement[imo].
I have sung it [ not in folk clubs]and I think it is ok,I prefer Willie of the Winesbury,if somebody sang it in a Folk Club and sang it well,I would applaud.