Whether or not you value the posited mutation series that leads from "Maggadee" to "Polly Ann," the facts remain that "Maggadee" is what Neal Pattman sings and he claims that his father sang it that way. It may be that theirs is a line of transmission that goes back to an early time in the history of "John Henry" and that has not been influenced by other versions.

Be that as it may, "Maggadee" is so unusual that it requires explanation. Mine is that it was really "Maggie D." I'd love to hear others.