There is a book called I walked by Night by The King of the Norfolk Poachers. For obvious reasons he wished to remain anonymous - though I think that he was actually called Frederick Rolfe (NOT the author of Hadrian VII - he called himself Baron Corvo!). It was published between the wars, and that song definitely appears in it in approximately this form. (i.e. that was where I learnt it from and this is how I sing it - the folk process may have had a go at the odd line!

There was a man of double deed
Who sowed a garden full of seed;
And when the seed began to grow
Twas like a garden full of snow;
And when the snow began to melt
Twas like a shoe without a welt;
And when the shoe began to fail
Twas like a bird without a tail;
And when th ebird began to fly
Twas like an eagle in the sky;
And when the sky began to lower
Twas like a beggar at my door;
And when the door began to crack
Twas like a stick across my back;
And when my back began to smart
Twas like an arrow through my heart;
And when my heart began to bleed
Twas like a man of double deed -
Twas like a man of double deed
Who sowed a garden full of seed.

Thereby making the whole song circular.