This impressive song is very rare in collected folk song, despite having been printed various times on broadsides from the late 18th century onwards. It was noted in Sussex in 1843, with much the same words as on the broadside, and once in Scotland. Mr Watts’ version is unique in England, if we discount a recently noted Sussex version which seems to derive from the Broadside publication. Both the Sussex and Gloucestershire versions are to notable modal tunes.
Notes by Gwilym Davies 5 May 2015