Just to put it in context, the song appeared in the 1792 operatic farce Hartford-Bridge, or, The Skirts of the Camp (Librettist: William Pearce, Composer: William Shield and others).  Shield (1748-1829) began his working life as a boat-builder's apprentice in County Durham, but wound up in London as a successful viola player(!) and theatrical composer.  He was appointed Master of the King's Musick in 1817.