The earliest recorded version of the song that I know is by Freddie Spruell (25 June 1926). Sleepy John Estes recorded his version 13 May 1930, Big Bill recorded it 23 March 1934 and Kokomo Arnold 10 September 1934. Arnold must have liked the theme though, because he went on to record 'Milk Cow Blues No. 2' in Feb. 1935, 'Milk Cow Blues No. 3' and 'Milk Cow Blues No.4' in Sept. 1935 and did a test pressing (never released) of (you guessed it) 'Milk Cow Blues No.5' in Feb. 1936.

Brian