Thanks, but as I made clear in my posting I am asking about words that Kelly Lundy apparently knew in 1941.

I have been aware of Kate and John's version since they first performed it and thought John did a good job.

I find the Mearns treatment above far too "syrupy".

I first heard the tune played by The Pine River Boys in 1974 at an election meeting down at Dugspur in Virginia. That band featured two fine banjo players Howard Hall and Abe Horton and their playing got all the attendees up on the floor flatfooting. I've always liked the tune but became more interested in it when I took up the banjo myself and always felt that there should be words somewhere referring to John Love.

Is there someone down in Southern Virginia that can help here?