(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend
Words and music by Stan Jones © 1948

Yippee i-ay, yippee i-oh An old cowpoke went riding 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-plowing through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw Yippee i-ay, yippee i-oh Ghost riders 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 coming hard and he heard their mournful cries Yippee i-ay, yippee i-oh Ghost riders in the sky Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat They're riding 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 snorting fire as they ride on hear their cries Yippee i-ay, yippee i-oh Ghost riders in the sky As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his name If you wanna save your soul from hell a-riding on our range Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride Trying to catch the devil's herd across these endless skies Yippee i-ay, yippee i-oh The ghost herd in the sky That ghost riders in the sky