The Highwoods mention a recording by Luther Strong. It was recorded (by Alan and Elizabeth Lomax in 1937) by his fellow Kentuckian W.M. 'Billy' Stepp, but that too is an instrumental (fiddle solo). If it does have lyrics, it seems Kentucky is the place to begin a search. Stepp's recording has been reissued on Various Artists 'Music of Kentucky: Early American Rural Classics 1927-37'. Then again, the Highwoods supposition may be exactly that. You could email Dr Charles Wolfe at the Tennessee Folklore Society and ask him - he wrote a book entitled 'Kentucky Country'.

--Stewie.