Interesting how old threads keep being revived & one finds uncorrected errors from - literally - years back. Right back near the beginning of this thread, someone asserted that the song under question 'originated' in The Beggar's Opera which dated from the reign of Queen Anne. Out by 14 years, I fear: Anne died 1714, The Beggar's Opera took the Town by storm in 1728 — early in the reign of George II. And of course the song under discussion here did not 'originate' there: The Beggar's Opera was a ballad opera which set new words to well-loved airs of the time, from Chevy Chase to Greensleeves to Sally In Our Alley to One Misty Moisty Morning to Lilliburlero to Handel — to, yes: Over The Hills And....

Sorry to rake over ancient errors - but 'ACCURACY MATTERS' shall ever be my watchword: and Better Late Than Never.