A song of huge popularity on both sides of the Atlantic, in many various forms with many various tunes, but curiously little found in Ireland. As it is a song composed of floating verses, no two versions are the same. Printed versions go back almost 250 years and possibly the song was old then. It has served in its time as a tender song of unrequited love and also a showcase for rollicking old time banjo.
Williams collected no tunes but possible tunes for this song may be found by going to “Browse” and searching for 413 in the Roud Number search field.
Notes by Gwilym Davies 5 May 2015