I was surprised not to see (did I miss it?) anyone mention Jimmy Driftwood in connection with the "Rattlesnake Mountain" branch of the Death of Lt. Myrick/"Springfield Mountain" family.

Driftwood recorded his "Rattlesnake Mountain" in or around 1958, on his first RCA Victor album. My impression is that Pat Sky may have learned it there, and that the Texas version cited above may also stem from the Driftwood record.

I'm not clear on just how traditional the "me-Y-mountain" treatment is; Driftwood may have learned it from his father, Neal Morris, or from someone else in his boyhood. But as he was also a deft songwriter who varied tradition a good deal, he may have had a hand in forming this version.

Does anyone know of a source for the "me-Y-mountain" type of text BEFORE Driftwood and before 1958?