I've been singing this for years and is a bit of an old faithful .

I do mention the history when introducing it. If it is a folk club audience, I don't mention Morris by name as the distinction between Morris and other forms of traditional dance can lead to "discussion." Granted, as it mentions the downs and a poppy field donated by the queen, Morris would be a valid word to use, but life is too short for boring discussions at the bar afterwards.

Whatever the ins and outs, Austin John Marshall had noted that as festivals were becoming popular, the preconceived image of Morris (etc) being a male fertility ritual was questioned when he saw how many women, and in particularly women of a certain generation dancing. From talking to them, the women stepping up in WW1 made the difference between a team stopping or carrying on.

It ws a similar story with bell ringing. Many bell towers fell into disuse during the period and never restarted but like traditional dance, bell ringing had a renaissance and once defunct towers are now rehung.

Whether you look for literal meaning in song or enjoy the noise it makes, this is a beautiful song.