Got his name from singing to the cows and sheep
Every night they say he sings the herd to sleep
In a basso rich and deep, crooning soft and low.

[Chorus from the sheet music]
He always sings raggy music to the cattle as he swings
Back and forward in the saddle on a horse,
That is syncopated, gaited and there’s such a funny meter
To the roar of his repeater, how they run
When they hear that fellow’s gun
Because the western folks all know
He’s a high-faluting, scooting, shooting’,
Son of a gun from Arizona, Ragtime Cowboy Joe.

[UC Davis Aggie Band version]
He always sings lazy music to his cattle
As he swings back and forward in his saddle
On a horse (pretty good horse!) that is syncopated gaited
And there’s such a funny meter to the roar of his repeater
How they run (how they run!) when he shoots his gun
Because the western folks all know
He’s a high-falutin’, rootin’ tootin’
Son of a gun from California. He’s some cowboy
Talk about your cowboy, Ragtime Cowboy Joe