Hamish Imlach also sang a version of this, which he claimed was written by Leadbelly. It appears on Old Rarity, and also on the live album The Sporting Life.


WESTERN COWBOY
(as sung by Hamish Imlach, after Leadbelly)

When I was a cowboy, out on the Western Plains
When I was a cowboy, out on the Western Plains
I made a half a million, pulling on the dry rein

Coma-cow-cow, coma-yippie, cow-cow, yippie-yippie yea.

Fought me the hardest battle that was ever on Bunkers Hill
Fought me the hardest battle that was ever on Bunkers Hill
When me and a bunch of cowboys ran into Buffalo Bill.

Fought me the hardest battle that was ever on the Western plains
Fought me the hardest battle that was ever on the Western plains
When me and a bunch of cowboys ran into Jesse James.

Coma-cow-cow, coma-yippie, cow-cow, yippie-yippie yea.

When me and a bunch of cowboys went in with Jesse James.
When me and a bunch of cowboys went in with Jesse James.
The bullets they were falling, just like a shower of rain

Coma-cow-cow, coma-coma-cow-cow, coma-coma-yea.

I went round to my girl's house, she was rocking in a rocking chair
I went round to my girl's house, she was rocking in a rocking chair
She said Hey Western cowboy, please don't leave me here

Coma-cow-cow, coma-yippie, cow-cow, yippie-yippie yea.

If your house catches afire, and there ain't no-one around
If your house catches afire, and there ain't no-one around
Throw your good girl out the window, let the goddam shack burn down

Coma-cow-cow, coma-yippie, cow-cow, yippie-yippie yea.

When I was a cowboy, out on the Western Plains - reprise


This seems to confirm that the "jelly" thrown out of the window refers to his woman.

And I take it to be an act of chivalry, saving his woman instead of worrying about the house.