The song appeared in print, perhaps for the first time, in the humorous Austin paper, Texas Siftings (June 2, 1883), p. 2. It is titled "From 'Don Fillibusto" and credited to "Nym Crinkle" (Andrew C. Wheeler), the music and drama editor of the N.Y. World.

Wheeler was the librettist. The composer of "Don Fillibusto," according to the Detroit Free Press (Apr. 25, 1883), p.3, was "J. C." [correctly Edward J.] Darling.

The song, sometimes called "Arizona Cowboys," sometimes with no title, was printed in a number of papers in 1883 - including, in London, The Pall Mall Gazette.