I take it, Al, you mean the aka Holmfirth Anthem. It has indeed always struck me as oddly over-literary, with its "most beautiful damsel", "shepherd swain", "fairest evening e'er I beheld thee", "can I leave thee thus, my dear?' "thees & thous" generally, &c. Never rung true as being other than, perhaps, something a village schoolmaster or curate had knocked together & spread about the parish.

Pretty tune, tho: nice to sing and pleasant listen. I remember John Tams & Ashley interpolated it into that National Theatre Lark Rise To Candleford* those years back where it fitted OK. But still & all...

~Michael~

*Drift:- Trouble with that was that it was an early example of the fad for 'promenade productions'. I loathe & detest 'promenade productions'. Always remind me of Mr Knightley in Jane Austen's 'Emma" about surprises, that they are "foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable": perfect summary of prom prods for my money...