Wikipedia says that it's traditional folk song and the original of this song dates back to 1800s. It's often associated with line dancing in country bars. Although it's a very popular song and people are familiar with it, most people know only the opening line of the lyrics. It's usually played so fast that dancers have to focus on their steps rather than the lyrics
Cotton Eyed Joe (Rednex)
If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe
I'ld been married long time ago
Where did you come from? Where did you go?
Where did you come from, Cotton-Eye Joe?
If it hadn't been...
If it hadn't been...
If it hadn't been...
He came to town like a midwinter storm
He rode through the fields so handsome and strong
His eyes was his tools and his smile was his gun
But all he had come for was having some fun
If it hadn't been...
If it hadn't been...
He brought disaster wherever he went
The hearts of the girls was to hell broken sent
They all ran away so nobody would know
And left only men cause of Cotton-Eye Joe
If it hadn't been...
If it had't been...
If it hadn't been...
If it hadn't been...
If it hadn't been...
コットン・アイ・ジョー，あいつさえいなければ
今頃とっくに結婚してた
一体どこからやって来て，一体どこに行ったんだ？
コットン・アイ・ジョー，お前どこから来たんだよ？
あいつさえいなければ・・・
もしもあの時・・・
もしもあの時・・・
まるで真冬の嵐のように突然町にやって来て
馬に乗って颯爽と草原を駆け抜けた
それで商売できるほど，あいつはすごい目をしていたし
あいつの見せる笑顔ときたら，まるで銃と同じくらいの破壊力があったのに
ちょっと遊んでみたかったから，あいつはここにやって来た
もしもあの時・・・
あいつさえ・・・
あいつのやって来たとこは，どこも悲惨なことになる
女の気持ちを弄んでは，ひどく泣かせて傷つけるけど
みんながここを逃げ出して，誰ひとり気づかない
後に残るのは男だけ，コットン・アイ・ジョーの仕業だよ
もしもあの時・・・
あいつさえ・・・
もしもあの時・・・
あいつさえ・・・
もしもあの時・・・
（余談）
「振られ男の恨み節」というカテゴリーの極北にあるような曲ですが，仮にそうだとすれば，「凄腕の刺客」という表現は，このコットン・アイ・ジョーのためにあるのかもしれません。
