Thanks, all. I have to agree with John O'L that there is an air of unreality to the idea that Johnny Cash had to write new words because he couldn't remember the old ones. It wouldn't have taken him long to get hold of a Blind Blake or Willie McTell album. He was a songwriter, so he wrote new lyrics. He didn't do too shabby a job either. I like the first person narrative. It fits right into the tradition of prisoner's farewell songs. I think the last verse is particularly good:

Jailer, oh jailer
Jailer I can't sleep
'Cause all around my bedside, I hear the patter of Delia's feet
Delia's gone, one more round
Delia's gone

However, some of the older lyrics have a power and sharpness that even J.C. didn't achieve:

Rubber tired buggy rubber tired hack
They took poor Delia to the graveyard
They ain't gonna bring her back

and

Delia, oh Delia, Delia how can it be
You loved all them rounders,
But you never really did love me

Edmund