I can add a little to Malcolm Douglas's note. The song (whose original lyrics have not so far appeared above) describes an episode at the 1862 International Exhibition in South Kensington (the 'exhibition of sixty two' in the lyric), with a sexy dark girl conning a farmer up from the country out of his cash and dignity. The cover of the original London edition of the sheet music has a fine lithograph by Alfred Concanen showing the dark girl with Harry Clifton 'in character' and, in the background, the exhibition building.

The song was so popular that it led to a whole crop of parodies, sequels ('The Fair Girl Dressed in Pink') 'replies', ladies' versions and, as Malcolm observes, localised including American variants.

The Stanley Holloway recording was issued (?late 1950s) on 45rpm Decca F.11140. It is a superb performance of a romping song, sticking closely to the Clifton original.