This song was first published to Urbani's original tune in the second volume of his book "A Selection of Scots Songs - Harmonized, Improved with Simple and Adapted Graces". In his notes, Urbani explained that the words were "obligingly given by a celebrated Scots Poet, who was so struck with them when sung by a country girl that he wrote them down, and, not being pleased with the air, begged the Author to set them to Music in the style of a Scots Tune, which he has done accordingly." A contemporary letter from Burns referring to Urbani confirms "I likewise gave him a simple old Scots song which I had pickt up in this country, which he had promised to set in a suitable manner."