Sorry for creeping
Personally, I think it's difficult - virtually impossible, in fact, to date any particular traditional song unless it comes with specific historical references or a composer - an in-depth knowledge of the ort tradition dates back no earlier than the beginning of the twentieth century and published, particularly broadside, references are pretty meaningless
This song is made up of a number of motifs which are centuries old and can be traced to formal literature as well as other tradition songs
It's as likely to have evolved from other songs as to have landed in the present form
My opinion
Jim Carroll