This humorous ditty has only been around for less than 100 years – quite a young song in terms of folk song.  It was often known as “The Darkie Sunday School”, a title that, thankfully, is not used today.  It has been found both in the UK, Australia and the USA but is rarely noted by collectors, which is a pity.  Despite this, it seems to have a vigorous existence in oral tradition, and is found in several publications of rugby songs and bawdy songs.

Notes by Gwilym Davies 11 September 2015