Clearly it's based on existing songs, which I call the "When I Die" songs. Here are some examples from two other sources:
1) WHEN I DIE- As printed by E.C. Perrow in 'Songs and Rhymes from the South,' The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 28, No. 108 (April 1915), p. 130.
(A. From East Tennessee; mountain whites; recitation of F. Le Tellier; 1907.)
When I die, don' bury me a tall But soak my body in alcohol.
When I die, bury me deep En put a quart u' licker at my head en feet.
When I die, don' bury me a tall But take me down to Bowery Hall Take off my coat en open my vest En tell all the girls I'm gone to rest.
(B. From Mississippi; negros; MS. of Mr. Harrison; 1909)
When I die don't bury me at all Preserve my bones in alcohol Fold my arms across my breast Natural born . . . gone to rest.
Natural born . . . don't have to work Carry a recommedation on the tail of my shirt.
(C. From Mississippi; negros; MS. of W.G. Pitts; 1909)
When I die, bury me deep Tell all the gamblers that I've gone to sleep Put a pair of bones in my right hand And I'll throw seven in the promised land.
2) Brown Collection: 466 Train . . . Run So Fast
From Blake B. Harrison, Trinity College student. December 5, 1919, with music. As in White ANFS 402 (without music).
1 Train, train, train, train, run so fast,
Couldn't see nothing but de trees go past.
Refrain: Don't tell mama where I'm gone. Cause I'm on my way back home.