This version collected by Cecil Sharp is probably the earliest printed version of Nine Pound Hammer/Swannanoa Tunnel. Sharp collected two versions of "Swannanoa Tunnel" both have the 'Bull-dog' verse. It's interesting to note that the usually accurate Sharp not only got the title wrong calling "Swannanoa Tunnel" "Swannanoa Town O"
but the "hoodows" lyric in the second verse is probably "hoot owls" as footnoted. These versions probaby exsisted in the mountains sometime after the completion of the tunnel in the late 1800's.

Lyr. Add: SWANNANOA TOWN
From Sarah Buckner and Mrs. Ford at Black Mountain, NC Sept. 19, 1916.
"Swannanoa Town" No. 91 A from EFSSA:

*Swannanoa Town, O, Swannanoa Town, O,
That's my home, Baby, that's my home.

When you hear the **hoodows hollering
Sign of rain, baby, sign of rain.

When you hear my bull-dog barking,
Somebody 'round, baby somebody round.

When you hear my pistol firing,
Another man dead, baby, another man dead.

I'll be back all in September,
'Twon't be long, baby, 'Twon't be long.

Look for me, 'till your eye runs water
I'll be at home baby, I'll be at home.

O Lord, Ella, what's your trouble?
I have none, baby, I have none.

Don't you remember, last December,
The wind blowed cold, baby, the wind blowed cold.

I'm going back to, *Swannanoa Town, O,
That's my home, Baby, that's my home.

*Swannanoa Town, O= Swannanoa Tunnel
**hoot owls