The song Pete Peterson refers to, "The Wreck of Number Nine (On a cold winter night)," J. E. Mainer's version, is reproduced in "Long Steel Rail," by Norm Cohen. The song was written by Carson J. Robinson and recorded by Vernon Dalhart in 1927.

Mainer's version is in the DT with the title "On a Cold Winter's Night."

Checking ballad lists turns up several 'my dearest dear,' and 'cold winter(s) night,' but unrelated to either of these. Almost as common as 'it was a dark and stormy night.'