The Frank Profitt version of Tom Dooley (real name Dula) was a 1939 recording I believe for the Library of Congress. It was first recorded commercially ten years earlier in 1929 by singer/fiddler G B Grayson and
guitar back-up man Henry Whitter.

Much of America's folk music was preserved thankfully by the record industry not for the sake of preservation but because it sold.

I sometimes wonder if Frank knew this song from the Grayson/Whitter recording or what his source was. Not that is important, both versions are well worth hearing.

It was the Profitt recording which appears to have been the source of the awful pop hit of the late 50's