Susannes Folksong-Notizen
[1976:] Michael Blann was a shepherd, singer and whistle player who lived near Shoreham in Sussex, until about 1930. He wrote out a book of his songs in the 1880s and the book, including this song, is preserved in Worthing Museum. But Blann did not write the song, and its history is more complex still. It was written by John Hollamby, a grinder at Hailsham windmill, who in 1827 published the words in an anthology called 'The Unlettered Muse'. There it was called Gooch's Strong Beer. Blann, I think, adapted these words and added the chorus. The tune is, of course, Yankee Doodle. (Vic Gammon, notes 'The Tale of Ale')
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