Leadbelly- There's a recording of H.Thomas on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music which is available from the Folkways/Smithsonian Series. Origin of Jazz Library used to have"Henry Thomas Sings Texas Blues"(OJL 3).I've always liked the way Taj makes a song his own.
   
    Fishing Blues

Went up on the hill 'bout 12 o'clock
Reached right back an got me a pole
Went to the hardware, got me a hook
Put that line right on that hook

Chorus
Say you been a fishin' all the time
I'm a-going fishin' too
I'll bet your life, your lovin' wife
I'll catch more fish that you
Any fish bite got yo' bait
Here's a little somethin' I'd like to relate
Any fish bites you got a fish
I'm a goin' fishin'
Yes I'm goin' fishin'
I'm a goin' fishin' too

Looked down the river 'bour one o'clock
I got so hungry didn't know what to do
I'm gonna get me a catfish too (Chorus)

Put on the skillet
Put on the lid
Mamas gonna cook a little shortnin' bread (Chorus)

I believe this was in the key of G

Missouri Mud-In 1929 when this was recorded ,it wasn't the case of nothing better to do, it was subsistence. Or as we in the Ozarks say, "Gettin' by".   Cheers - Dave