Also I just have to add, the momma was not likely leaving the plantation to go whoring, because, you know, most slaves weren't free to come and go at their whim. She was likely not a drug addict ignoring her child because ...she was a slave she woke up worked and worked all day long, if she was alive the baby would be with her in a sling in the field. It was not a life with a lot of indulgences. There are some variations in lyrics because it was a slave song which is much like a story passed down, the teller or this case singer will add their own to it, over time it will grow and change. The singer is likely dying too as most slaves did not live to a ripe old age and those who were able to work, worked (like slaves)