Thanks, Jack, as always.

Roberton's "Songs of the Isles" (1950, p. 38) credits Roberton himself as the composer of the song itself (copyright 1939), including the lyrics and the tune of the stanzas. But as Roberton is also careful to acknowledge, "Chorus noted from the singing of DONALD McISAAC."

The chorus is probably the best-known part of the song.

Whatever else it's related to, McIsaac's excellent tune is easily recognizable (to us aficionados) as a relative of "The Muckin o Geordie's Byre" as well as of "Denis Murphy's Slide/ The Dark Girl Dressed in Blue."