My grandfather (1896-1993) was born and raised in eastern Kentucky, not far from where Ricky Skaggs was raised, and there is strong tradition of lined out a capella singing over that way among Primitive, Old Regular and United Baptists. I don't remember Pawpaw singing this but when I have time I will look through his Sweet Songster and Thomas Hymnals to see if it might be found there, though I kinda doubt it.

I would not be surprised if the song doesn't have it's origins in the African-American Spirituals lined-out tradition. The cadence is that of a work song. Many of the lines are found in many hymns and spirituals.