Those with copyright on their versions include Andrew Lloyd Webber, Pentacle (Jansch et al.), and some "Celtic" performers (Sinead O'Connor, etc.).
The song stems from "Lady Franklin's Lament," and "Lament on the fate of Sir J. Franklin....." Dunno when the "Lord" Franklin" title and/or versions were made.

He was not a "lord."
Old broadsides from 1878, but music??