According to what I know, this song was composed of floating traditional and original verses by Tommy Duncan. This verse is traditional usually it's: *black man "throws" and white man "makes":

The big bee sucks the blossom,
And the little bee makes the honey,
A poor man throws the cotton
And the rich man makes the money.

The tune is known as "Shear 'Em" which has been confirmed by Chubby Wise and Meade.

Apparently there are lyrics to Shear 'em but I've never seen them. Wills said it was an old tune his grandfather knew and there were verses to it.

I'd like to find out more about Shear Em.

Richie