It turns out many versions of this have been recorded; this is one of the earliest:


SHE'S MY CURLY HEADED BABY
As recorded by J E Mainer's Mountaineers, 1935.

[yodel]

She's my curly-headed baby.
She used to set on her mama's knee.
She's my curly-headed baby.
She's from sunny Tennessee.

I have loved her since I met her,
More than any tongue can tell.
If she ever proves false-hearted,
I can never say farewell.

She's my curly-headed baby.
I don't care what people say.
If she leaves me for another,
That will be her buryin' day.

I am funny about the women.
Boys, I'll tell you what they'll do:
They'll be cryin' on your shoulder,
Be flirting with another too.

[yodel]

[I'd] rather be in some dark holler,
Where the sun don't never shine,
Then to be some other's darling,
When you promised to be mine.

When I'm dead and in my coffin,
My pale face turned to the sun,
Won't you promise it around me(?).
Think of the deed that you have done.

Boys, I've told you about the women.
Boys, I've told you what they'll do.
They'll be cryin' on your shoulder,
Be flirting with another too.

She's my curly-headed baby,
Used to set on her mama's knee.
She's my curly-headed baby.
She's from sunny Tennessee.

[yodel]