I learned it from an imported lp made by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger over 30 years ago. 'Oh, those beans, bacon and gravy, they almost drive me crazy; I eat 'em till I see 'em in my dreams.'
Seems like the lyric mentions "I was born long ago in 1894 and I've seen many a panic I will own. I been hungry; I been cold and now I'm growin' old but the worst I've seen was 1931...." So my cuz, Robt. Zimmermann, might not have written this one......
Somebody ask Peggy Seeger. She's one of those walkin' encyclopedias....