One more tidbit: In Henscratches and Flyspecks (1973), Pete Seeger says Lomax collected this song from Negro fishermen of the Virginia tidewater country. I take it that's the area around the Great Dismal Swamp, which is just north of the area Barry's referring to.
Oh, and Seeger has a different syncopation to the rhythm, and says it's the way the song should be sung. Comin' right up. I hope MIDITXT can handle the syncopation.-Joe Offer-