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38 A CENTURY OF BALLADS
in the Musical Times by Mr. Frank Kidson, who shows them to have been written by one Edward Ward, and included in the third edition of his Miscellanies, published in 1712, two years before George came to the throne.
According to one account, the worthy Vicar referred to in the song was one Pendleton, who afterwards became rector of St. Stephen's, Wal-brook. The authority for this statement declares that in the reign of Edward VI, Lawrence Sanders, the martyr, expressed a fear to Pendleton that the latter would never be able to endure the persecution of the times, to which Pendleton answered confidently that he would never be made to relinquish his faith. However, apparently his resolution gave way, and he was made vicar of St. Stephen's in consequence, while Sanders was burnt at Smithfield.
Another account says that the song referred to a certain Simon Alleyn, or Allen, who was Vicar of Bray from 1540-88. However this may be, there is no doubt that the story is founded on historical fact and embellished with the natural licence of the poet.
A popular song-writer at the beginning of this century was Henry Carey, who was born towards the end of the previous century. In many cases he was composer and author too, and was also a successful dramatist. |
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