Sorry I didn't see this earlier Peter. Some good information here.

Any chance that anyone could post the Monroe brothers lyrics. There may be an earlier version than 1936 (perhaps with a different title or different selection of verses) but I'm not familiar with one. The Bolicks credit the Monroes with being their main influence, so I doubt their's precedes Bill and Charlie. What about Homer Briarhopper...anyone know his recording history. I've always thought this song was similar to the Carters' "Storms Are On The Ocean" in that the verses are found in a great many American songs and can be traced back across the pond pretty easily.

J.E. Mainer also put his name to a lot of traditional material, as did Wiley and Zeke Morris, A.P. Carter and Grampa Jones. (remember the controversy over "Mountain Dew?)

No question in my mind that the Bolicks did the nicest "old" version of it. Doc's version is great too.

Rick