WARNING, X-RATED VERSION AHEAD.

Maybe the bawdy versions of "Cotton-Eyed Joe" can clarify some of the questions asked above? The Randolph-Legman Ozarks collection "Roll Me In Your Arms" gives the following from a Mr. E.W., Eureka Springs, Ark, 1949, from a dance-call version:

COTTON-EYE JOE

Long as a hoe, tough as a boot,
Gals all think he's terrible cute,
Where [did?] he come from, where did he go?
Never can tell about Cotton-Eye Joe.

All holler yes, never say no,
Gals line up for Cotton-Eye Joe,
All line up with a do-si-do,
Pull down (your) pants for Cotton-Eye Joe

Mammy (done) told me a long time ago,
Don't never monkey with Cotton-Eye Joe,
Gals all think he's terrible cute,
Watchin' for a chance to grab his old root.

I'd a been married long time ago
If I hadn't laid up with Cotton-Eye Joe.

That last couplet maybe explains why the difficulty getting to the altar. Could be VD, could be getting such a reputation nobody'd touch her (or him??) for marriage material.
Randolph-Legman also give a fragment from "a lady in Carroll County, Arkansas", 1952:

The biggest prick I ever saw
Growed right here in Arkansas,
Gals all a-playing high and low,
Took down their pants for Cotton-Eye Joe.