minstrel: Cutty Wren

[Jonathan Kessler]

Greetings,
I just encountered this list through the archives, and this seems like a 
good place to ask this question.  I've recently heard a song "The Cutty 
Wren" (similar to "Hunting the Wren")
Goes something like this:
Where are you going, says Milder to Malder
Where are you going, says Festle to Fose
We may not tell you. says the younger to the elder
Out to the green wood, says John the Red Nose

(etc)

Anyone know to whom "John the Red Nose" refers?
Or, for that matter, Milder (Miller?) to Malder?
Please reply to me directly (or CC me on the reply, so as to include the 
list) as I'm not (yet) subscribed.
Thanks!
JK