AC
"often contravenes the "sing as you speak"
Totally agree with you, but I think that it is importand not to let whatever you do interfere with the sense of the song, which can happen.
I still hold to the idea that that the singer is a storyteller and the primary aim is to pass on that story. In Ireland, the old singers used to talk about 'telling' a song rather than singing it.
West of Ireland singer Tom Lenihan explained to us how he would use humming sounds to fit words where they wouldn't scan in the tune - some lovely examples if you can ger to hear him sing on the albums he was on 'Paddy's Panacea', 'Mount Callan Garland' or 'Around The Hills of Clare'. Not only does it help with the scancion, but it can keep the listener's attention by keeping their ear working, without interrupting the sense of the song.
Jim Carroll

Anyway - Lord Gregory as sung by Elizabeth Cronin of County Cork.

Lord Gregory
1. I am a king's daughter that strayed from Cappoquin
In search of Lord Gregory, may God I'll find him in!
The rain beats at my yellow locks, the dew wets me still,
The babe is cold in my arms, Lord Gregory let me in!

2.   Lord Gregory is not here and henceforth can't be seen,
He is gone to bonny Scotland to bring home his new queen.
Leave now those windows, and likewise this hall,
For it's deep in the sea you should hide your downfall!

3. Who'll shoe my babe's little feet, who'll put gloves on her hands,
And who'll tie my babe's middle with a long and green band?
Who'll comb my babe's yellow locks with an ivory comb,
And who'll be my babe's father till Lord Gregory comes home?

4. I'll shoe your babe's little feet, I'll put gloves on her hands,
And I'll tie your babe's middle with a long and green band.
I'll comb your babe's yellow locks with an ivory comb,
And I'll be your babe's father till Lord Gregory comes home.
Leave now those windows, and likewise this hall,
For it's deep in the sea you should hide your downfall!

5. Do you remember, Lord Gregory, that night at Cappoquin,
When we both changed pocket handkerchiefs, and that against my will?
Yours was pure linen, love, and mine was coarse cloth;
Yours cost one guinea, love, and mine but one groat.

6. Do you remember, Lord Gregory, that night at Cappoquin,
When we both changed rings of our fingers, and that against my will?
Yours was pure silver, love, and mine was block tin;
Yours cost one guinea and mine but one cent.

7. Do you remember, Lord Gregory, that night in my father's hall,
When you stole away my fond heart, and that was worse than all?
Leave now those windows, and likewise this hall,
For it's deep in the sea you should hide your downfall!

8. My curse on you mother, and my curse it being sore,
For I dreamt the lass of Ocram came knocking to my door!
Lie down, you foolish son, and lie down and sleep,
For it's long ago her weary locks are waving in the deep!

9. Come, saddle me the black horse, the brown or the bay!
Come, saddle me the best horse in my stable this day!
Till I'll range over valleys, over mountains so wide
Until I find the lass of Ocram and lie by her side.