Two fragments from the first decade of the twentieth century . . .

Ol' Jay Goul' said, before he died
He'd fix a way fer hobos to ride
Said, "Ride on the bumpers, en' ride on the rods
En' trust in your life in the han's uv God!"

From east Tennessee mountain whites, recitation of F. LeTellier (1907).

Jay Gould said (before he died)
"Fix my train so the bums can't ride."

From Mississippi (?), MS. of L. A. Harrison (1909).

E. C. Perrow, 'Songs and Rhymes from the South', JAF Vol. 26, No. 100 (Apr. - Jun., 1913).