Sorcha, I presume you refer to the first verse. It could be.
Some have insisted that the verse relates to a lynching. The experts, however, relate it to normal hunting for the coon, possum, or whatever. Only a little change in the lyrics (so-called folk process) can completely obscure the original intent. We can never identify the original.
The other problem is that, at this late date, attempting to separate Negro and minstrel songs from each other is impossible. Too much borrowing, back and forth.
The verse about stealing corn (or whatever) has been the subject of jokes (as long as the buckshot doesn't get you) with farmers and humorists world-wide.