According to Meade, Spottswood, Meade biblio-discography, this dates back to 1879 with words and music by T.B. Ransom. There were heaps of recordings before the Carters: Luther B. Clark and the Blue Ridge Highballers (1926); Mac and Bob (1927); Allen Brothers (1928); Reed Children (1928); Jenkins and Whitworth (1929); Bradley Kincaid (1929); Linda Parker and The Cumberland Ridge Runners (1933); and the Carter Family (1934).

--Stewie.