However Malcolm's "Penguin" notes do suggest the song goes back to those good old days when what's no the US of A was no more than an colony of England . . . so I guess it predates prohibition!

One of my favourite versions of this was by English Country Blues Band (which included Ian Anderson, now of Folk Roots, and Rod Stradling, now of Musical Traditions, if I remember aright). A blues re-write of the song; great fun, and well worth looking for! (Maggie Holland - who more recently wrote "A place called England" and "A proper sort of Gardener" is the vocalist).

G.