Hi.

This is actually a very old medieval ballad. It's likely based on reality, but as usual the whys and wherefores have been lost. I'll have to look up the particular text that carries all the lyrics. The one's mentioned in John W's message are the common version available in some older folk song collections. (early 19' hundreds). You can find other versions of the same story by Loreena McKennitt, called the Bonnie Swans, on the Mask and the Mirror, or by Clannad, called The Two Sisters on Dulaman.

Our group knows two versions and are currently learning the one John mentioned.

Karina