Hi Steve,

No preference, just noting the difference when I found it- which Child also did- after careful reading.

I also looked and added to my site Aa by Edward F. Rimbault in Notes and Queries. This version dated 1656 has the A ending. Rimbault says:

The original ballad of "The Miller's Melody."

I've looked at Child J which is titled "The Miller's Melody" but I have no idea why- yet- since the fragment is taken from Notes and Queries. It's not titled that since it's a response to a query titled: "Three Ladies Playing At Ball" from Philadelphia- proving at least the a fragment of the ballad existed (from an Irish source) in the US.

I'm still perplexed about the 1st edition dated 1655 since the 1656 date comes from the 2nd edition. There's a footnote about it by Child.


Any comments are welcome as sometimes I feel like I'm in the dark here.

TY

Richie