Masato's version above is only one Jackson recorded of 19 from the Texas prison system alone. On the same collection (& on the same CD) note that the song "Timber Getting Limber" (sung by Joe "Chinaman") also recorded at Ellis farm (both, Texas 8/21/65 & both crosscutting) is yet another variation on the same. Lomax also has a version of "Hammer Ring" on his Deep River Collection (Big Brazos) sung by "Lightning" Washington from the Darrington farm (Texas 1934). Yet another version of this song (on the Arhoolie lable) by Harry Oster was recorded at Angola farm, Louisiana 1959. Oster claims this was used at Angola as a spike driving song until the dimise of the RR at the farm & then was used as a wood-chopping song (by wood chopping I take it to mean crossing cutting).
Barry