i STUDIES iRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC IN COLLEGE AND HAVE GONE BACK TO OLD COLLEGE BOOKS IN RELATION TO FUSIONS OF MUSIC. IT STATES THAT THE SONG ORIGINATES IN iRELAND FROM PRE FAMIN AMD THAT IT CAME TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEAND FROM THE IRISH WHO EMIGRATED THERE AND BROUGHT MANY CUSTOMS WHICH THEN IN TIME INTERGRATED WITH THE MAORI TRADITIONS. SOUNDS REASONABLE ! !!!!