Song Mary Danced With Soldiers, EmmyLou Harris & NGDB

I'm referring to an article about the lyrics of that song written by EmmyLou's former husband Paul Kennerly. The question is: Who is the man, her baby never saw, why was he in France and brought her a shawl and a parasol? A rebel boy, but why in France? With which soldiers (British?) is she dancing? Is she Irish and the men who tortured and killed her and cut her hair are IRA Catholics? I contacted the Dirt Band directly, they don't know but sent me the link to you which I already knew before.