The title of this tune comes from a comic song of the 1860's, although it is similar to many other tunes and thus is likely part of a much older tradition.
The title of this tune associates it with Cork in Ireland. However, its first publication was in 1789 in England, under the name Yorkshire Lasses. It is also known as The Rollicking Irishman and the melody was used for the song Father O’Flynn.
This tune was known earlier as New Shields, which may refer to the Tyneside towns of North Shields and South Shields in Northumberland. However, it may also originate from Scotland, where it was popular in the early 18th century.
