What is with this song? Can some expert tell me where it comes from? I have two versions of it -- Carl T. Sprague from the 1920's and Michael Murphey's recent version -- not to mention other versions in my head. But I suddenly realized that it is totally weird musically (dare I say modal, or something). One note I have says that it comes from an earlier song about an ocean burial. So:

1) Can anyone enlighten me about its origins?
2) I seem to have two or maybe three different chordal patterns (either some version of G and Em, or one with a chorus in a different pattern) in the folkmusic books I have. Can anyone say anything about the music that would help one get a grip on how to play this thing?
3) Anyone have any other good recorded versions they would recommend?
4) Did I mention how weird (including scary) this old familiar song is?

yours, Peter T.