That last brings to mind "May Irwin's 'Frog Song'" (1896, in the DT) where the third and sixth lines of every verse are variations of "Cause he hadn't nothin' else to do". It was recorded by Joan Morris and William Bolcom on the "Vaudeville" LP, and is included in the CD reissue "After the Ball". No jaybird, so I plead guilty to thread creep.