The notes that accompany the new CD version "Anthology of American Folk Music" has a list of quite a number of versions of the song. It makes interesting reading they are online. Start here and follow the relevant links. The original notes by Harry Smith imply that it is a dance tune that has been adapted. Does anyone know what the dance tune is? There is a resemblance to Leadbelly's "Poor Howard"; but that probably means he used the same dance tune.