GUESTHarry

"There was a noblewoman" is a literal translation of the title of a set of verses in Irish which is sometimes sung as a separate song to the same air. The earliest definite evidence of "either" seems to be a macaronic (two-language) song called The Young Sick Lover. See THIS THREAD for more than enough about the song!

Can't help with the gender-bending aspect...

Regards