the music notes (with blank lyrics) was printed, preceding the ballad text, in "pills to purge melancholy" (1719). the melody was also printed with lyrics to an unrelated ballad printed in watt's "musical miscellany" (1729). edward francis rimbault provided musical history on the tune (on this and other pieces in percy's "reliques") chappell & macfarren's work expands on the musicology.