Stewie,

This one is definitely a favorite of mine. I have it on the Harry Smith Anthology of Folk Music. I read (hear) the second verse as:

I done seen better days but I'm puttin' up with these
I done seen better days but I'm puttin' up with these
Could'a had a better time with these women down in New Orleans.

And the last verse is a classic, but I love the line, "You're my daily thought and my nightly dream." You don't see that coming and it is such a dear thought.

Roger in Baltimore