It may be related to "The Alewives Invitation." That broadside contains a couplet "It's known a good fellow I've been many a year/
And much have I spent in wine and strong beer" and has the theme of the landlady rejected a man when she finds out he has no money. It also warns young men not to spend all their money drinking. "The Alewives Invitation" is supposed to be set to "Digby's Farewell" and has the same meter as the Wild Rover (not that that means a whole lot.) http://abcnotation.com/searchTunes?q=digby%27s+farewell&f=c&o=a&s=0