Two more songs.

The Jovial Beggarman originally came from a stage play first staged in 1642 or thereabouts, but subsequently appeared in a number of broadsides in the later 17th century. It's a good lively song with a cracking chorus, great for joining in.

I found The Old Man from Lee in the Penguin Book of English Folk Songs which says of the song.

The old man's courtship is an ancient joke of which country folk never seemed to tire.

It seems the song was actually quite widespread in England, Scotland and North America. There is a Mudcat thread on the song.

I sing both songs with ukulele accompaniment and added a shruti box drone to The Old Man from Lee.

Occasional Folk Songs is at http://tootlingeoff.blogspot.co.uk/