Tried the search function but kept getting 500 Internal Server Error.

Looking for info on a song about a slide whistle playing character named Ben.
I remember it from a tape my dad made back in the 70s, most likely recorded from WHFS in the DC area.

Had guitar, maybe banjo and of course a slide whistle.

The lyrics I can remember are something like:

The slide whistle seems to be so awkward
Unless its played by someone like Ben
An old drunk I knew who used to play one
We'll never see the likes of him again

Chorus
The slide whistle screeches as it sounds out a tune
You pull and you push it with your thumb
Late in the evening, at the edge of town
Uncle Ben would play it as he drank his rum

Now old Ben lived all his life a bachelor
A bigger drunk than him there's never been
His slide whistle drove the whole town crazy
"                        "

Chorus

Now old Ben has gone to the next life
I heard he died, just the other day
I hope I never hear no more slide whistles
But as it seems I can hear him play

Chorus

I had it in my head that it might have been John Hartford but Google refuses to turn up anything. It was the sort of tune he might have done. If anyone remembers this tune and who wrote or played it I would be grateful.

Thanks!