I listened to this as a child. In the eighties I saw Mr. Ives in concert at NC State U. He sang this song, which amused my husband, who had never heard it.The song may have originated among African-American chain gangs, as a song of defiance and encouragement.
I played Burl Ives for my kids when they were young and my son said in all his songs some thing dies, but i know they loved him he has this voice and that guitar or banjo that is soo darn good it dont matter it gets you going. we love him all the same.