Here's some info on the related "Long John" songs. You can hear this here:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?lomaxbib:1:./temp/~ammem_92fq::



Here are the lyrics to "Lost John" from Rev. Mose Platt:


It's like a turkey through the corn
Long John, I'm gone again,
Wait right here 'til the 'larm goes on,
'Larm goes on I'll be gone again.

Long John Long John
I'm gone again, Long John

Wait until the choir 'til I catch my wind,
Catch my wind, I'm gone again,

Long John, Long John,
Long John

Viewed on a tree
Tree wouldn't fall
Lake was small wouldn't fall at all.
It's Long John
Gone again, Long John.

Notes: From Lomax 1939 recording trip;

The Lomaxes believe this to be based on the story (coming from W. C. Handy's book "Blues"; see page 215 in Handy/Silverman) of one Long John Green, who was known for his ability to move. When the prison where Green was staying acquired a pack of bloodhounds, they allegedly decided to conduct a test by giving him a head start and then sending the hounds after him. But Green was too fast (he also managed to trick the hounds by catching one in a trap), and escaped them.

-Richie