> According to Gus Meade's book Country Music Sources, Dorsey Dixon, one of country music's finest early songwriters, is the originator and composer, c. 1935.

If so, he didn't work without inspiration.

From Nellie McClung, The Next of Kin (Toronto: Thomas Allen, 1917), p.191:

"I was like the mouse who timidly tiptoed out to the saucer of brandy, and, taking a sip, went more boldly back, then came again with considerable swagger; and at last took a good drink and then strutted up and down saying, 'Bring on your old black cat!'"