GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY
(learned in 1950 when it was #1 on the Hit Parade; by Stan Jones)
An old cowpoke went ridin' out one dark and windy day
Their brands were still a-smokin' and their hooves were made of steel
Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred and shirts all soaked with sweat
As the riders thundered toward him he heard one call his name,
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw,
A-ploughin' through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw
Yippee-i-oh, yippee-i-ay!
The ghost herd in the sky.
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
For he saw the riders comin' hard and he heard their mournful cry
Yippee-i-oh, yippee-i-ay!
The ghost riders in the sky.
They're ridin' hard to catch that herd but they ain't caught 'em yet
For they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snortin' fire, as they ride on, hear their cry!
Yippee-i-oh, yippee-i-ay!
The ghost riders in the sky.
If you want to save your soul from hell a-ridin' on this range,
Then, cowboy, change your ways today or with us you will ride,
A-tryin' to catch this devil's herd across these endless skies.
Yippee-i-oh...