First mention anywhere is probably: Corks & Curls, [Charlottesville] “Published by the Fraternal and Literary Societies of the University of Virginia,” Vol. XXIX (1916):

“Mr. Editor, I am in difficulties to dish-close the sense of some Ole English Ballads sung at Virginia:....

“Cutest sing-song of all was concerning The Bashful King of England. Worthy High Spicot sing this too indistinctually to obtain sense, but it go partially this way:

        ‘Oh, the minstrels sing of a British king
        Of many a year ago—
        How he ruled the land with an iron hand,
        Though his mind was weak and slow.
        ‘God save The Bashful King of England!
        
        ‘He loved to chase the bounding stag
        Throughout the royal woods,
        And he also was exceedingly fond
        Of increasing the royal goods.

        ‘His solitary garment was
        A leathern hunting-shirt,
        With which he tried to hide his hide
        Before his pride was hurt.

        ‘He was wild and wooly and fond of booze,
        And his bashful feet were enclosed in shoes.
        God save The Bashful King of England!" &c, indefinishly.

“Mr. Editor, why do not Dr.[Alphonso] Smith publish this with other ole ballads? Maybe because everybody that sings it is always drunk.

“Hoping you are the same,

                                        “Yours truly,

                                        “Hashimura Togo.
                                        “Saturday, March 4, 1916.”


The fictional immigrant "Hashimura Togo" was the main character in humorist Wallace Irwin's "Letters of a Japanese Schoolboy" (1909).