Moorleyman, this appears in the school songbook, Silver Burdett, New Music Horizons 5, McConathy et al., with music, p. 35. (see Permathread 69027, Silver Burdett Songbooks).
Close to the Jeff Warner version that you quote. It is listed as a folk song from Vermont close to the "Green Mountain State where Bruce O's version came from.

THE TUNE THE OLD COW DIED ON

Old Farmer John came walking home
One summer afternoon,
And sat hin down 'neath a maple tree
And sang him-self a tune;-
The farmer sang till the cows came up
And round him formed a ring,
For they never heard old farmer John
Attempt before to sing.

Chorus
And this was the tune Roy fal dol da dol
Sung 'neath the maple grove
Roy fal dol dol, roy fal dol day,
'Tis the tune the old cow died on.

The oldest cow in the farmer's herd
Tried hard to join the song;
But the melody she could not get,
Though her voice was loud and strong.-
The farmer laughed till the tears ran down
His cheeks like apples red;
Then the cow got mad and tried to sing
Until she dropped down dead.

Chorus

Old Farmer John had an inquest held
To see what killed the cow;
The jury sat and a verdict brought
Which I mean to tell you now.-
They said that the cow would be living yet
To chew her cud with glee,
If Farmer John hadn't sung that song
Beneath the maple tree.

Chorus

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