To correct an impression that the blurb at Jon Boden's site may create: although some "babes in the woods" story may go back to 1595 or earlier, the song itself dates back no further than the late 1700's, when it was written by William Gardiner (music) and his unidentified friend (words). There is no direct correspondence with the long broadside ballads popular shortly before this song was written. One can only guess at the degree to which Gardiner's friend may have based his short text on any particular "babes in the woods" story or song; the text offers no clues about when (historically) they were taken, what their names were, who took them or why--it's more an atmosphere piece than a story. To consider the song as having a more extensive history is reaching for connections.