[7] Published versions probably drastically understate the song's popularity,[1] particularly since the first mentions allude to 78[8] or 900[9] additional verses unfit for printing.

Sandburg credited many of the verses he knew as derived from the 17th-century Scotch song "Way Up on Clinch Mountain",[12] now usually known as "Rye Whiskey".

Verses from this song also developed into "Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms", recorded by Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs and many others after them.

It was originally intended for Liz Mitchell to sing, but she found the lyrics vulgar and refused to do it.

Instead, Reggie Tsiboe did the lead vocals, backed by session singers Amy and Elaine Goff.