Dick, thanks for posting the link to the Morris Brothers. You are right, it is on par with or even better than the Hank Williams version, which I love. Everyone's 'take' on the song is different, and valid, but I see "Old Smokey" as a sad and poignant song. Unfortunately the upbeat, fun, version to me conjures up all the parodies such as "On Top of Spaghetti", which is why I prefer the slower tempo, mournful renditions, which I believe are more in keeping with the lyrics and spirit of the original.   Nothing wrong with Jed's interpretation - different strokes for different folks.