Anyone have any more info on the "Irish-American" origin of this song? I started a thread a week or two ago asking about the tune to "Diamond Joe [#2]" because it always sounded vaguely Irish/Celtic to me, and I wondered if there was an older traditional number from Ireland with the same melody.

I learned only that "State of Arkansas" (an obviously American lyric) shared the same melody with "Diamond Joe," but nothing about any earlier tune from across the Atlantic. I'd appreciate any info on how/why this song has origins in Ireland.

Incidentally: After checking out the "State of Arkansas" lyrics in the DT, noticed that it shares *one* line (or, I guess, two) in common with "Diamond Joe":

His bread it was corn dodger / his meat I could not chaw...