There is some evidence, according to the online forum “Mudcat” that the song goes back to an 1860 publication published in Birmingham called “The Hunting Day”, dedicated to “The North Warwickshire Hunt”, with words and music by William Williams.  From that day, it gradually found its way into the hunting community and elsewhere.  It has been found only in England and often in hunting communities in the north of England as “A Fine Hunting Day” and is still sung there.  This is the only Gloucestershire version.

Notes by Gwilym Davies March 2020