Just got back from Madrid so first evening on Mudcat for several days. A few years ago I was told by the woman who had purchased the old vicarge in the Little Leigh area that the song had originally been written by the curate in residence there, but she was vague about the date and suggested 'early Victorian' She had never actually heard of the song but had been given the information as an "interesting fact" by the vendors. I've been trying to verify the story ever since with no success! Thanks for bringing it up Greg.