One should hesitate before claiming a particular version to be the "original."

The earliest printed version from Whall gives the line as:

"Railroad nigger with his sea boots on"

Terry , who was most adamant that the title was "Hogseye Man" offers:

"Some big buck nigger with his sea boots on." and an alternative line,

"You Yankee Jack wid de sea boots on."

Colcord offers "Some big buck nigger wid his sea boots on."

Abd finally, from Harlow, "Railroad nigga with his sea boots on."

I rarely do this song for fear of unconciously singing the wrong lines in the wrong place. This was not a concern for Jack as racial stereotypes and epithets were freely and good naturedly exchanged among all ethnic groups - Tom