Frank (Stringsinger), I think you'll find it was the other way round: 'St James Infirmary' predated 'Chittlin' Cooking Time'. See previous threads that link SJI to 'The Unfortunate Rake'. The first recording of 'Chittlin'' was in February 1937 by Fiddlin' Arthur Smith with the Delmores. Bill Cox recorded it in October of the same year. In his notes to the County LP reissue of Fiddlin' Arthur Smith recordings, the late Charles Wolfe wrote:

'Chittlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County' takes the melody of 'St James Infirmary', another jazz standard, with new words which, according to Kirk McGee, were written by him and 'a fellow named Busby' who hung around WSM.

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--Stewie.