I would like to know when the version that begins this thread (and is in the DT) was written, and if possible by whom.
Charles Todd, in his novel "A Test of Wills," says "But the ballad had been popular enough in the trenches during the war."
(He is speaking of WW 1)

Some five years have gone by since the last post to this thread, and perhaps more information is available.

The version also is printed in www.traditinalmusic.co.uk, with the same request for attribution.