Hi Karen,

Harwood's statement that "What is similar is the idea of the funeral request. This is very different from a direct correlation." considerably understates the case. What we definitely have are the following:

'St James' Hospital' appearing in versions of Roud 2 preceding SJI.

The setting in a named individual's bar-room, common to cowboy versions (which he concedes are derived from Roud 2) and SJI.

A meeting with a loved one who is sick and beyond medical care.

Not just a 'funeral request', but close resemblance in the requested mourning party.

The most likely explanation IMO is that at some point a new song, which we can call 'Gambler's Blues' or whatever you please, has been put together by someone well-acquainted with the previous song, in either or both its cowboy or 'Unfortunate Lad' forms. I'd say that's more than a 'second cousin' relationship.