So this thread never does go away does it? I'm still asking here. Asking and wondering, but I have some further points to make.

1. From the earliest printing of the words of this song the chorus (when it occurs) uses the words "Jimmie/Jim crack corn. The word gimme is not used. (NB in the DT for "The Blue Tailed Fly" "give me cracked corn" has been substituted because someone thought they should be used.)
2. There is no author given -- from a printed source -- at the time of this song's first appearance -- under the name "De Blue Tail'd Fly". (Or indeed under other similiar titles.)
3. The subject of my on-going study -- Robert "Billy" Barlow aka The American Barlow -- The Inimitable Barlow -- The Blue-tail'd Fly is, I believe, a likely candidate as the author of this song -- but so far although I've got a lot of circumstantial evidence, I still have no hard proof. I'm asking. Still asking.
When I put forward a theory I promise I will always make it clear that that's what it is. I do not make unconsidered comments. Just so's everyone knows.
Cheers, Joy