The song from which it was derived (at least one of its roots) is from Galax VA, Fields Ward's Bogtrotter's band; and they called it Deadheads and Suckers.
Deadheads and suckers, how can you live
How can you live, darling how can you live
Deadheads and suckers, how can you live
When good men are dyin' every day

and a couple verses later
High sheriff and police are runnin' after me
And darlin' I don't know what I'll do

(And I did this from memory without consulting DT; it's probalby there!