This is Roud 3058. The Traditional Ballad Index file name StoR039 refers to John Stokoe: Songs and Ballads of Northern England, Newcastle-on-Tyne and London: Walter Scott Ltd., 1893. He has slightly different words from the above. Stokoe noted on this song: "One of the most captivating songs published in this district; and no Tyneside poet was more known or more esteemed in his day than the author, William Mitford. He was born in 1788, at Preston, North Shields, but, coming to Newcastle at the age of four years, was completely identified with that town, soon becoming known as a poet; and some of his songs—“Cappy,” “X Y Z,” and “The Pitman’s Courtship”—will probably live for ever. He died at his home in Oystershell Lane, Newcastle, on 3rd March 1851, aged sixty-three years. Some controversy has arisen about the tune this song was written to, but the air given here is from my friend Mr. Samuel Reay’s knowledge of the correct melody." Anni Fentiman sang The Pitman's Courtship in 1993 on her and Dave Webber's CD Together Solo.
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