I think it may be possible a certain version may have been written and popularized by the legendary Texas blues guitarist and folk singer and songwriter Mance Lipscomb, he even tells the back story in this youtube recording here at the introduction of the song in true folk tradition. I think i remember hearing a version of the song as a child that i remember when i saw some cartoon movie(maybe think Disney?) where some animal kids that walk upright and talk like people have an adventure on a riverboat with some alligators...the movie starts out with "mama don't allow no banjo playin' round here"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4EY2Im1fNg