Q: I don't have any statistics on cowboy sadism so I'm not making any strong statements, here...just opines.

When you rread songs like "The Great Wheel" or the Randolph/Legman version of "Chisholm," the sadistic/violent elements are so strog they can't be ignored. I wouldn't suggest this implies any kind of physical action or desire but these are heavy items. Very different, to my thinking than boasting or gleeful smut (no matter how "naughty.") Surely there is your element of inventive boasting in most songs - I'm only taking of a small percentage. But to me (and even to Legman) they do stand out.

Further, a huge number of bawdy songs are transmitted by females - even teen & sub-teen ones. This seems to be true in Appalachia (per Legman & Cray), Scotland (per Douglas & Henderson) and modern Harrierness (per several). My impression (unverified) is that females are more likely to transmit bawdy ballads & men bawdy songs.

The main part that makes me laugh that I completely agree with you is the ludicrous notion that sailors, cowboys, loggers, soldiers, etc sang things like they just couldn't wait to get home and hold their sweetheart's hand and have another cup of tea (as it were.)