My Grandmother, who was born in 1903, used to sing the following version her mother taught her. This song must therefore date from no later than the 19th century. Her mother's family was from Virginia. It features a word that is sensitive to many people today, so I have partially obscured it.

A 'possum in a 'simmon tree,
a raccoon on the ground.
Raccoon asked the 'possum to
pass them 'simmons down.

A mushroom-colored n****r gal
a'sittin on a stump.
She shot the 'possum on the tail,
and you should'a seen him jump!

Oh, chillen come along, come along,
Oh, chillen come along,
I'll meet you in the early morn!