We do not have a lot to go on from Sharp’s noting of Mr Harding’s song, except the tune, which seems to have extra notes, and the title. In the absence of any other information, we have to assume that it is the seduction song, often known as “Knife in the Window”. Unlike many folk songs, the seduction is joyous, and assisted by the lady in question. The song is often lined to the shape-shifter ballad “Hares on the Mountain”, but there seems little in common apart from the tune. Collected versions date from the early 20th century and it has been collected in recent times.
Notes by Gwilym Davies 24 June 2015