As mentioned earlier in this thread the earliest printed version of the song called "Molly Bawn" was published in the garland:
The Bottle and Frien'ds Garland; Containing Four Excellent New Songs. I. Damon and Phillis. II. The Bottle and Friend. III. A New Song. IV. Molly Bawn. V. The Macaroni;
Printed by John White (Newcastle) in 1765.

Molly Bawn - garland 1765


A SONG, CALL'D MOLLY BAWN

I'll tell you a story
And a story of late,
Concerning my jewel
Her fortune was great,
She went out in an evening
And the rain it came on,
She went under the bushes
Herself for to screne.

Her love being out fowling,
He shot in the dark.
And to his misfortune
he did not miss his mark;
With her apron being about her,
he took her for a swan.
But Oh! and alas!
It was sweet Molly Bawn.

When he came to her
And found she was dead,
A well full of tears
On his love he did shed,
Crying oh! my dear jewel
My joy and delight,
I durst not presume
For to make her my bride.

He went home to his father,
With the gun in his hand,
Crying father, dear father,
I've shot Molly bawn,
For her apron being about her,
And I took her for a swan,
But ah, and alas
It was sweet Molly Bawn.

Oh, woe to the tobby
For the lend of thy arms,
For unfortunate Wrangle
has done this great harm,
Shot the glory of the North
And the flower of Kiln-wan,
and what shall we do
For the loss of Molly Bawn.

Then up bespoke his Father,
With his head growing grey,
Saying Johnny, dear Johnny,
Don't run away.
For here in this country,
Your trial shall go on,
By the laws of our Nation,
You won't be condemn'd.

Two or three nights thereafter,
To her uncle she did appear,
saying uncle, dear uncle,
Johnny Wrangle set clear.
For my apron being about me,
And he took me for a swan,
But its ah! and alas
It was me Molly Bawn.