Hi Kirsten,

    I have stumbled across a number of variants and derivativees (or derivativeers;^), but "Spirit in the Dark" has not been one of them. Interesting!

    I don't think anyone has a good grip on the origin of "Sally Walker" tunes and phrases. It appears that similar lines occur many songs of African-American origin, from children's street rhymes and circle games to field songs, but the version I gave above as sung by my friend is the only version I have ever heard. (And yes, I have tried to track down my old friend.)

Janie