Many sources state the song was the work of Joe Perkin (1809–1868),[3] a choirmaster at Holmfirth in the mid 19th century.
[5] It is clear that Perkin did not write the tune or text, but rather produced an adaption of an earlier ballad for four-part harmony, which was then published locally.
These 19th century variants are likely derived from a substantially longer 18th-century slip-ballad, The Maiden's Complaint for the Loss of her Shepherd, which was printed in about 1790, though the original text could be older.
It is a popular choice at village carol "sings" at Christmas, or at hunt meets in farming districts.
A Bluegrass version of the tune exists with the words 'wilt thou go fighting French and Spaniard' changed to 'must you go fighting...' in order to make it clear that the bereived woman doesn't wish her lover/husband to go to war: There have been studio recordings of the Holmfirth Anthem by Kate Rusby, The Watersons, The Albion Band and others, though a number of field recordings exist of more typical community performances.