Here are a few things I can add:

One of the earliest collected version (1917) in in Sharp's EFSSA number 199 appearing as the Crow-Fish Man which uses the related song, "This morning so soon" tag.

All the verses are different than the standard verses.

Also in Sharp's EFSSA is the related "Sugar Babe" which is number 245. It ends with the tag "sugar babe" and was recorded in 1926 by Land Norris. This appears also to be the earliest lyric for "The Policeman" songs by Tommy Jarrell and others.

These songs appear to be related to the ealrier "Baby Mine" songs which are the "Banjo Pickin' Girl" songs also known as "Goin' Round this world."

Richie