Evansville [Ind.] Journal (May 5, 1892):

"[In 'Big Sandy' country] 'The Sour Wood Mountain' is sung by the rosy-cheeked maid over her churn and accompanies the stroke of the ax in the forest. The precocious baby is taught to say 'Mam and Dad' and sing 'Sour Wood Mountain.' The words go something like this:

'Big dog bark and little one bit you,
Hey come a diddle, come a day.
Gals all gone to Sour Wood Mountain,
Hey come a diddle, come a day.'"

Like "Cripple Creek," it could have developed at any time.

Aside from inclusion in Irish, Scottish, and New England music collections, mentions of American folk tunes and songs are uncommon during the 19th C.