Can't find the blooming lyrics anywhere on the web (without paying). And I can't remember them!!!!

If it's the 18th century art song, they are available in various "100 best loved songs" types of books, one might be on Amazon.

The tune, at least, was written in the late eighteenth century by Michael Arne, son of Thomas Arne who wrote "Rule Britannia". I have a feeling the poet John Clare may have been involved in the lyrics but I may be wrong there. It would have been originally sung in the theatre and migrated to places like Vauxhall and Ranelagh Gardens, eventually being taken up by the so called "folk" - like, I suspect, a good many tunes we now think are traditional.

It's been recorded by umpteen people - my Mum had a 78 of it sung by one Mavis Bennett around 1929. There was a version by Elsie Suddaby, and even one by a young Julie Andrews - and you can buy a CD of that one!

There's another (1930s?) song which uses the phrase in the lyrics, I believe.

Not much help am I? But i'd be really interested to see the lyrics as Mum's 78 was jolly crackly.