I always associate this song with the novel "We of the Never Never" written by Mrs Aeneas Gunn (Jeannie Gunn)of her life on Elsey Station South of Darwin N.T. Australia. She went there from Melbourne as a new bride in early 1900's.
The book was one listed for study in English Literature in the late 1950's. It would have been a similar era when I remember singing the song after hearing it on the Wireless(LOL) (Radio),but who sang it, I do not know.
Terence was right, it was a very tuneful song.