Burl Ives — Riders In The Sky (Cowboy Legend)

An old cowpoke went ridin' out one dark and windy day
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-plowin' through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw

Yippy-yi-yi, yippy-yi-oh
A ghost herd in the sky

Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
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 heard their mournful cry

Yippy-yi-yi, yippy-yi-oh
Ghost riders in the sky

Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred
Their shirts all soaked with sweat
They're ridin' hard to catch that herd but they ain't caught 'em yet
'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snortin' fire as they ride on, hear their cry

Yippy-yi-yi, yippy-yi-oh
Ghost riders in the sky

As the riders roped on by him he heard one call his name
"If you want to save your soul from hell a-ridin' on our range
Then cowboy, change your ways today or with us you will ride
A-tryin' to catch that devil's herd across these endless skies"

Yippy-yi-yi, yippy-yi-oh
A ghost herd in the sky
Ghost riders in the sky