Richard - I finally got round to asking Roy about that version you recorded. He thinks he heard it originally from someone in the Critics Group on a record of sea songs, so your theory might be correct. Roy says that he then went to Child A for a text, remarking that "I couldn't resist a line like 'Shame on you for a cozening Lord'", partly with the aim of creating a version different from the standard ones.

He eventually dropped the song because (I hope he won't mind me quoting him, but I think the point he makes is an important one that should inform all of us singers) "my head was in it, not my heart, never a good reason for singing any song". He also makes some self-deprecatory remarks about the likely quality of the song you have on tape and suggests you should listen to Burl Ives' version instead - but that's Roy. Modest to the last. I bet it's a cracker really.