What I hear is:

...her lip(s) 'gin to quiver 'roun'...

...Way down in Missyrippi when the boats were overflowin'...

...up Canal Street, / Hear the boys cryin', ... (Spoken: Sea shanty boys is workin'!)

When the boys all get tight, some of 'em done gived out (Spoken: Or they're restin'!)...


Lead Belly's tune is weird and great. He seems to be making most of lyrics as he goes along. The lyrics of the "Oak" version are almost entirely different.

And, yes, "Missyrippi" is what the man sings!