Just a note to say that my further research has produced no more information, not even on what source was used for the IOCA Song Fest version of "Workin' On the Levee."

I keep thinking a search among those old minstrel manuals might produce something. Anyone have access to such a collection?

My focus is on "Workin' on the Levee," but -- since the two songs are associated as early as 1894 -- I'm also curious about the occasional assertions of 1880s popularity for "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad." No evidence seems forthcoming. Does anyone know whether those claims can be documented, and if so, where to look for them?

And, of course, there are mentions of some sort of origin for "Workin' on the Levee" among African American work songs. But there too, I've seen no evidence, and it has to remain guesswork -- unless someone can come up with a source?

Thanks, Bob