In the original words, written in 1912 by Grant Clarke, one learns that Ragtime Cowboy Joe is "a high-faluting, scooting, shooting son-of-a-gun from Arizona."

Later versions have it that he is "a hifalootin', scootin’, shootin’ Son-of-a-gun from Arizona" while still later versions make him a "high falootin' rootin' tootin' Son-of-a-gun from Arizona."

Whether he is high-faluting, hifalootin' or high falootin', one wonders to what he is up? This appears to be a gerund derived from the verb "to falute" or "to faloot." What, pray tell, might this mean?

Padre

What made him "scoot" is an issue for another day. And perhaps why he quit scooting and started rooting.