Mark,

Wayne Erben traced WORKING ON THE NEW RAILROAD back to the 1870s in Arkansas. I called the songs, I've Been All Around this World. I play different chords and sing different melodies, There are some similarities.

I WISH I WAS A MOLE IN THE GROUND

   G            D          G
I wish I was a mole in the ground,
                                  D
Yes, I wish I was a mole in the ground.
          G                                          Em
If I's a mole in the ground I'd root that mountain down,
       G            D            G
And I wish I was a mole in the ground.

I sing Tempy which is a nickname for Temperance. Some people sing Bessy, Kempy.

Richie