Getting back to the song under discussion, am I the only one who knows about and has heard Ewan's rendition of Jock Hawk on the Riverside LP, SCOTS DRINKING SONGS? This was recorded in 1956, sung plainly with accompaniment by Alf Edwards, and was the version I learned the song from.

When I heard the version on Bothy Ballads, I was a bit surprised but in no way bothered. I assumed that was an attempt to emulate a source singer (not too surprising for a professional actor) or a flawed microphone. No matter, I got a new verse for the song.

Now confusing this with Harry Lauder is beyond my comprehension. Lauder would never have banjo accompaniment. When much younger, I was able to acquire a fine collection of high quality, mint condition 78s of Sir Harry's songs; the similarity of the two singers is a fantasy. And of course the names on the site where the song was presented would certainly be a giveaway to the literate..

Finally, my thanks to the likes of Jim Carroll, Shimrod,and others for standing by with ample supplies of "Trollbegone' for those all too common instances when the MacColl haters slither up from the slime.

Keep up the struggle - Tom Hall