I sang the Niles version when I was a voice major in college. My voice prof was fond of several of the "Niles" songs, but always poked fun at Niles for listing his name as composer/lyricist.
   One sings a variety of "literature" as an edjumacated vocalist, most of which is composed "literature," such as from operas & other works. When one wants to sing a folk song, however, one must have an "arrangement" by a proper source, and then it is considered an "Art Song." I frequently have voice students sing Folk Songs in performances, or in competition. I rarely have any printed "Music" of Folksongs/Spirituals for competition judges-which is normally a requirement-as I teach the Folksong as I learned it from whatever source, and I improvise the accompaniment, usually on Piano. Instead, I bluff by stating that I am positive that they are all familiar with the "Niles" (or one of the other well known Folksong thieves) arrangement of such & so. So far (30+ yrs), no one has ever questioned me.