My mother sang a version on this song, she passed in the 80's. She was from the Ozarks in Missouri, lived through the depression, had 16 kids, I was the 14th. Her song started out different,
In olden times there was a river, that flowed between two mountain walls, and on the bank of the river lived a white man and an Indian squaw.
I can't remember the rest, but the man leaves and the Indians come and kill the squaw, and capture the baby.
Wondering if anyone has heard this version?
Thanks, Lola Bearden