Susan,
That's almost exactly what it is (not necessarily to children), but it does serve to remind those of us smugly condemning what the Nazis did, that our ancestors too in Britain were guilty historically of similar crimes against humanity.

As you say it is also highly likely that the origin of Child 277 lies in a warning to vain wives.

Richie,
Taking back the standard version of Wee Cooper a little further, Whitelaw included it without tune in The Book of Scottish Song, 1855, (See Friedman/Penguin). First edn. is actually 1844 but I haven't got that edition. I've just acquired a load of Scottish song books so I'll see if we can take it back further.