The Ratcatcher's Daughter

Sam Cowell (1820 – 1864) made this song (in)famous- he was one of the stars of the early Music Halls and supper rooms, often singing older songs in a mocking, burlesque style for comedic effect.
Rev Edward Bradley (1827-1889), pen-name Cuthbert Bede, was a novelist and humorist. He is credited with writing the words to this version of the song, published in 1852. It is probably based on an earlier song: its found in hundreds of 19th century broadsheets and songbooks on this side of Atlantic, going back to the early 1830s (1832 seems to be the earliest reference, though dating of these sources is not always accurate).
The song appears to have been popular throughout the 19th century, but also appeared in the repertoire of Music Hall revivalists of the 1920s and 30s like Elsa Lanchester and the duo Ernest Butcher and Muriel George. The song may have entered the repertoire of later traditional singers via these performances and recorded versions.

[MonarchistMusic]

What a lovely song! Though lord it turned dark

[richardcleveland]

WHAT a wonderful comic song! The tune would go nicely as one-sixth of a quadrille!

[roneisele-kindleauthor]

Best rendition of this ballad I've heard was back in the early 90's performed by John Rutland at the Player's Theatre, Villiers Street in London. Dressed on stage as a ragged ratcatcher, subdued lighting, with a back scene of the London slums. He performed the verses in a lighthearted manner until the dark ending, when his persona changed to a 'Bill Sykes' character.

[mturynP]

'fell-in-the-sea' may be an intentional mishearing of 'felo-de-se', a term for suicide—this was at a time when suicides were still denied Christian burial in England.

[charlesmaximus]

This is the stuff gangs like the Scuttlers would have been very familiar with. They hung out at the music halls all the time.

[slurpii]

Wait, this not the ratcatcher's daughter i was looking for

[nred]

Thanks for background and dating it to mid-Victorian. When I watched it, the subtitles were considerably off. Would appreciate credit for the singer and musicians.

[rudsonchannel]

Please ? assassin's creed flamenco Buleria