My point really was that this singular ballad is so popular that the likelihood of hearing lots of different versions in the Harmon family is very likely. Not all source singers just learn and pass on what they have heard. The more creative ones will try to improve and if as in this case there are many versions to choose from a creative singer will mix and match.

Buchan didn't just piece together, he created a lot. It's such a pity for us he was such a deceiver. Some of his creations are pretty good and went into oral tradition almost immediately. His poetry is pretty poor stuff but he knew very well all the characteristics of a good ballad. His oft-quoted fall guy, Jamie Rankin, was not capable of creating according to people who knew him. No doubt some of the material sent to him was spurious, but the vast bulk of it is of his own re-creating and creating.