As i remember:

"When your house catches on fire and there aint no water round"

I wonder if like most singers of an oral tradition Leadbelly would of changed his lyrics on a regular basis. No sense in being pedantic with lyrics. One of my greatest pleasures was to join in singing parts of Will ya will ya Wa ya ,Backwards "There was a old wood and she lived in a woman" "she stuck the baby in the penknifes heart"etc. Deserved song this fate A

YELLA GIRL was leadbellys worst