Just an update on this song. I was chatting with Graham Pratt the other day and saying how much I love singing the song . He built it up from several verses in Briggs' book. He said he was in touch with a Yorkshire traditional song collector who sent him the original verses and was pleaswed to see he had got the story 'about right' I am looking for the original verses and it will be interesting to see whether any tune is given.Please PM me if you have a contact

Meanwhile Graham's song will do for me! What a writer, Graham and Eileen currently lead the excellent Sheffield Folk Chorale who are very busy this season and he is starting another community choir.
(Mike in Sheffield)