As far as the Tannahill Weavers' version is concerned, it looks like the folk process ran riot, if Barbara's lyrics are accurate.

Incidentally, I would love to know when the spelling of "Rhum" became common. I know that when I was a schoolboy in the Highlands, every map of the Western Isles that I ever saw had the island spelt "Rum".

I would guess that "Rum" is still the favored spelling among the islanders.

But I may be wrong. I have been before.

Murray