This is a great traditional song, which I'm keen on learning, and, in addition to the versions on the Mudcat, I have found it in no less than 5 of the traditional song books in my collection, ie
A Garland of Country Song: English Folk Songs with their Traitional Melodies, 1895, S Baring Gould & H Fleetwood Sheppard p34;
English Folk Songs for Schools, c1905, S Baring Gould & Cecil Sharp p70;
A Touch on the Times: Songs of Social Change, 1974, Roy Palmer p56;
Folk Songs of Britain and Ireland, 1975, Peter Kennedy p515; and
Book of English Country Songs, 1979, Roy Palmer p39.
Now, I have no problem with the words - I'll probably use those in the 1974 Roy Palmer book, possibly including the two extra verses c1835 from Paul Bedford.
However, each of the 5 versions seems to have a different tune, some being very different! Of course one should expect variation in tunes over the centuries but has anyone any idea which might be the original or the one most popular at this time?
I suppose that if I had the skill I could write down each of the versions of the tune in ABC and ask for votes but I haven't yet mastered that art. However, if I am able to get a friend to do so for me, I will post again.
"Sing whoa, my lads, sing whoa!"
Alan