Good to learn the history of this song - I knew it as Pete Coe sang it (Tundra never did) and had heard all kinds of rumours of its mixed provenance. It has flavours of a broadside ballad in its style.

I thought I'd respond to references to Tundra, for the record. Most of the songs we performed/recorded were either from the oral tradition or from broadsheets and other historical written sources, using the originally intended melodies. They came from my research into sources including EFDSS, the British Library and local archives, as well as the Ballad Society publication, the Kentish Garland. However, several songs were written by Doug, including The Lady of Rochester Castle. Full sleeve notes and lyrics appear on the three main albums: Kentish Garland, Kentish Songster and Songs from Greenwich.