But even if that the case, Steve ~~ the phrase must have come from somewhere, had some meaning or referent for someone... And why should the [sort-of] mondegreen you postulate here have so universally caught on that this song under this title is as recognisable in some version, or at least as a title, to practically everyone, as those I cited some posts back, 12 oct 0517 pm: to which one might add e.g. Waltzing Matilda, Vicar of Bray, John Peel ... Oh, you know what I mean.

I agree with what I take to be your point that the evidential value of the Irish rebel versions under the title is scant, as they were clearly just recycling a phrase which had reached cliche status because of the older song.

~M~