I've known this song since the late 1950's--early 1960's. It was sung by Molly Scott and is on a recording she made around that time. She sang it on an early television show for Children, if I remember this right. I might not. It's been a long time.

She sang a beautiful version that is very close to your second version. The river in question, in her version, was the Natchez. Whether there is or is not such a river, that fits the meter perfectly and that's how I will continue to sing it.

I really love this song.......

Mary