Joe Hickerson recorded this song on his Drive Dull Care Away, Vol. 1. He just died in late August and there has been a resurgence of interest in his work. (There will be a memorial celebration for Joe in person in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, January 10 which will also be Zoomed. More info on that will be posted later.) I was just asked about this song by someone who is learning it in memory of Joe. I've never heard it in an Irish session that I am aware of but that doesn't mean it's not sung here. ITMA has a recording of a Lanny Ross singing it but nothing else. I'm in Ireland at the moment and will stop in at ITMA and see if there is any more information about it. I'm suspecting that Herbert Hughes composed it himself; it has that feel for me. But that might be my ignorance speaking. I'll check in his book when I get home in a little over two weeks.

By the way the first line of the last verse should be:
"See how the silver swan there and the corn crake sings discreetly,"

David Ingerson