Hi,

As far as I can tell there are only four extant US/Canada version with the standard traditional Spanish Lady opening stanzas used by Campbell for his poem.

The first reported version with the archaic opening stanzas was learned by Richard Dyer-Bennet in NYC about 1942:

“The Spanish Lady in Dublin City” sung by Richard Dyer-Bennet. Learned in NYC about 1942.

As I walked out in Dublin city,
At the hour of twelve in the night,
Who should I see but the Spanish lady,
Washing her hair by the pale moonlight.
First she washed it, then she dried it
Over a fire of amber coal,
Ne'er did I see such a lovely lady
Taking such care upon my soul.

As I walked out in Dublin city,
At the hour of twelve in the noon,
Who should I see but the Spanish lady,
Combing her hair with a golden comb,
First she combed it, then she curled,
Then into a a black and glossy row.
Ne'er did I see such a lovely lady
Taking such care upon my soul.

Richard Dyer-Bennet version is a corrupt adaptation of Hughes' 1930 arrangement that Dyer-Bennet recorded in 1957. He learned the version in NYC and from his notes had no idea of the pedigree of his song.

Richie