Ironically, just before Joe posted this, I rewrote the BI entry for this song based on what was posted here. Obviously the earliest date is now 1921.

The interesting thing is that all three of the earliest versions are basically the same single verse. Was there more? And was it a song? I don't think we have enough data. As regards the Larry Vincent and the Three Bits of Rhythm versions, it seems likely that they took something already extant and expanded it, which would explain their confusing inter-relations.

Thanks to all those who found early versions; your work will be cited in version 6.6 of the Ballad Index, which will probably appear around September.