Real events. Absolutely, Jim, but the flowery language is totally incongruous with the actual situation, so somebody with little talent trying to imitate the contemporary stuff that was pouring out of the pleasure gardens perhaps. The hacks came from all walks of life, some would-be poets in desperate need of a shilling, some perhaps to fuel their drink habit. There you go, my mind wandering again.

The whole thing is chock full of stock phrases you would find in 20 other ballads of its ilk.