Bobbie Gentry - Ode to Billie Joe

[EJD1984]

I've always like this song, and actually see it more folk than country.

I recently ran across this tidbit:

The original recording, with no other musicians backing Gentry's guitar, had eleven verses lasting seven minutes, telling more of Billie Joe's story. The executives realized that this song was a better option for a single, so they cut the length by almost half and re-recorded it with a string orchestra.

Has the long original version ever been released (or bootlegged)? I've been looking, and can't seem to find anything.

Thanks