Hi,

The "Over High hills and Lofty Mountains" connection is evident in a series of related songs from Ireland often titled "Sweet Bann Water."

Len Graham's version begins:

Away[Awake], away, I can stay no longer.
The sweet Bann water I mean to cross.
Over high high hills and lovely[lofty] mountains.
To spend the night with my own wee lass.

It's similar to I'll Go See My Love as sung by LaRena LeBarr Clark, Ontario which I posted that is related to "The Grey Cock." Sarah Underhill has recorded Joe Holmes/Len Graham version which is similar to the version by Valentine Crawford collected in the Commercial Hotel, Bushmills in September 1937:

Sweet Bann Water

I must away, I'll no longer tarry,
The sweet Bann water I mean to cross,
And over the mountains I'll roam with pleasure,
And spend one night with my own wee lass.

If the night was dark as a dungeon
And not a star ever to appear,
I would be guided without a stumble
To that sweet arbour where lies my dear.

When I came to my true love's window,
I kneel-ed low on a marble stone,
And through a pane I did whisper slowly,
Saying, 'Darling, darling, are you at home?'

She raised her head from her downy pillow,
And covered was her snow-white breast,
Saying, 'Who is that, that is at my window
Disturbing me quite of my night's rest?

' 'It is I, it is I, your poor wounded lover,
So rise up, darling, and let me in,
For I am tired of my long journey,
Besides I'm wet, love, into the skin.'

When this long night was almost ended
And drawing nigh to the break of day,
She says, 'My darling, the cocks are crowing,
It's now full time you were going away.'

'Well , you may go , love , and ask your father
If he be willing you my bride may be,
And what he says, love, come back and tell me,
For this is the last night I'll trouble thee.'

'I need not go, love, to ask my father
For he is lying in his bed of ease
And in his hand he does hold a letter
Which leadeth much on to your dispraise.'

'Well, you may go, love, and ask your mother
If she be willing you my bride will be
And what she says, love, come back and tell me,
For this is the last night I'll trouble thee.'

'I need not go, love, to ask my mother,
For to love's silence she won't give ear,
But away, away, and court some other
That will consent without a fear.'

For after night, love, there comes a morning,
And after morning comes a new day,
And after one false love comes another,
It's hard to hold them that must sway.

Richie