This ballad was printed on broadside in the 19^th century as The Young Lady’s Lamentation for the Loss of the True Love.  Although described as a “new song” it may well be based on a much older theme.  Versions abound throughout the English-speaking world and in particular, numerous versions have been found in the USA.  Versions of it were still being collected in Gloucestershire as late as the 1990s.

For Gloucestershire versions of this song with tunes, go to Browse and search for 993 under Roud number.

Notes by Gwilym Davies