My Grandmother lives in Sullivan County in Missouri and sang this version to us kids when we were upset ...

Ol Napper went a'huntin
Way late at night
Old Man Coon jumped on his back
And Ol Napper had to fight

Cry Ol Napper
hoodlee hoodlee hoo
Cry Ol Napper
hoodlee hoodlee hoo

In this version, Old Man Coon is a big racoon that wants to fight and Old Napper is a hound dog that is howling/baying.