First written as a poem in 1881 by Sam Devere and originally published in 1885. Recorded by the Binkley Brothers Dixie Clodhoppers in 1928.
Just found this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrI1E5ZZ3Dg
The first time I heard this song was when I was about 12.
Our family was camping and one of the other campers came over to our site, borrowed either mine or my brother’s guitar and played it around the fire. I’ll never forget it. :)