AKA
WESTERN PLAIN / WESTERN COWBOY / COW COW YICKY YEA
by Huddie Ledbetter
better known as Leadbelly (1888-1949).
In fall 1943, Moses Asch had Lead Belly record a group of medleys based on various themes for a 78 rpm set, 'Negro Folk Songs As Sung by Lead Belly'. This song comes from that project.
"What was the greatest battle ever on Western Plain?
When me and a bunch of cowboys rode into Jesse James.
Come a cow-cow yicky
Come a cow-cow, yicky, yicky, yea".
"What was the greatest battle ever on Bunker Hill?
When me and a bunch of cowboys rode into Buffalo Bill.
Come a cow-cow yicky
Come a cow-cow, yicky, yicky, yea".
First release was in 1946 by the title 'Cow Cow Yiccky Yea / Out On The Western Plains'.
"I went to my girl's house, she's sittin' d'ere alone,
I'm a poor western cowboy a long way from home.
Come a cow-cow yicky
Come a cow-cow, yicky, yicky, yea".
Jesse James (1847-1882) was a famous outlaw, bank and train robber.
Buffalo Bill (1846-1917) was an American soldier, bison hunter and a showman.
Rory Gallagher (1948-1995) made a superb cover of this title for the album Against The Grain (1975).
"Now me and a bunch of cowboys rode into Jesse James.
Well, those bullets were a-flyin' just like a shower of rain.
Come a cow-cow yicky
Come a cow-cow, yicky, yicky, yea".
