[3] Historical fiction writer Patrick O'Brian, in Master and Commander (the first of his 21-novel Napoleonic War series, originally published in 1969) referenced the ditty being sung aboard a sloop, the Sophie, that—in this fictional account—was in the service of the Royal Navy in 1800.
The lyrics and tune apparently gave rise to variations from 1730 onwards, such as the White Joak and so forth.
Thomas Moore (1779–1852) wrote the song "Sublime was the warning which Liberty spoke" to the tune.
Muzio Clementi wrote "Black Joke for keyboard in C maj" with 21 variations in 1777 (published 1780).
[5] Sharp had collected the tune in April 1912 from Michael Handy, a dancer with Ilmington Morris.