Best known through Louis Armstrong. An interesting note in cufresno Traditional Ballad Index. Apparently copyrighted twice in 1896; prior occurrence unknown; also found in the Bahamas. "Possibly older."
The version posted by Alix (thread # 2, George Seto, above) has more verses than most, and epitomizes the gospel marching tunes often used at funerals with its references to the judgement day. As I understand it, this tune would be sung and played on the way back from a funeral, with more mournful ones played on the way there. Perhaps someone from New Orleans will have better information than mine.
It is odd that this song does not appear in more of the books on Negro song. Was it considered a white or minstrel tune?