I have a version almost identical to the one cited above by Malcolm from Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia collected by Helen Creighton. Although it doesen't state how long it had been sung in that area, it does give a reference to Baring-Gould No. 58 with the variant beginnig"When first I came to England." A note accompanying it says the ballad had clearly an Irish origin. It used to be sung at the Revel at St. Breward's on the Bodmin Moors, and can be traced back there to 1839. The melody is not LAKES OF PONCHATRAIN. If I am clever, I can figure out how to make a midi and send it later.

Brían

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