Henry Monro (or Monroe) (1768-1798) was an Irish shopkeeper who headed a force at the battle of Ballynahinch , near Belfast, in 1798. Having lost the battle, he was then captured and hanged. Much more of the background can be found on this page http://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/Pea998.html. The incident gave rise to the song “General Monroe” which appeared on broadsides. However, the words of that song are quite different and George Lane’s version appears unique. One wonders how the song found its way to Gloucestershire, assuming an Irish origin, and why it appealed to a Gloucestershire labourer.

Notes by Gwilym Davies 19 April 2015