The melody of this song was first published 1840 in Edward Bunting's Ancient Music of Ireland and was collected from the playing of Ulster harper Daniel Black in 1796.
The air is probably as old as the time of the O'Neill's of Ballinderry, who, due to declining fortunes were forced to sell the property to Lord Conway.
[3] A Scottish version laments the loss of a lover left behind at Portmore, which William Tait identifies with (St.
While attributed to Donald Cameron, Burns biographer Alan Cunningham believes it comes from the north of Ireland.
[5] Peter Buchan published a version which formed the basis of Burns' "My Heart's in the Highlands".