Daily Picayune (N.O., La.) (July 25, 1886):

          Written for the New Orleans Picayune
               
                   PRAIRIE SONG

Out on the prairie, near the marsh and salty line,
I can rope a pony, bet you all some wine.
You better turn him loose, boys, he'll kick you mighty high,
Sprawl him with an ox bow, root hog or die.

Riding round the prairie on a pacing dun,
After horses and cattle, oh, what lots of fun!
Separate the "gangs," boys, then let 'em fly,
Over to the stock pen, root hog or die.

Going through a gully - a gully wide and steep,
There goes another cow, bogged down deep.
Grab up a rope,boys, and round her horns it tie,
Pull her out quickly, root hog or die.

I'll tell you how it is, boys, out on the road,
With a stubborn team, or a heavy load.
Pop your whip and holler and cuss it on the sly,
Punch your team along, boys, root hog or die.

Perhaps you'd like to know what we have for to eat -
A little piece of bread and a big piece of meat,
A little old molasses, some sugar on the sly,
Potatoes when you get em, boys, root hog or die.
                                        B. B. GARRISON


Compare this with the Lomax and Hight versions posted by Frank Taplin ten years ago.