Hi Martin,

The date of January 1st 1871 (first post, above) is the earliest I have encountered in relation to the song.

I suspect that Rowley, "a recent arrival from the provinces" may have met JBG in Lancashire where Rowley, a Yorkshireman, was known to have performed before his move to the capital. Rowley sang several JBG compositions (side note: I'm after the words to 'England Is England Still', w&m JBG, sung by JWR).

I know it has been suggested that Geoghegan may have 'borrowed' from existing broadsides, but I confess I have not encountered any definite evidence of this. He was, at one time, advertising "songs composed at one hours notice"!

I am, of course, happy to be proved wrong ;-}