Riders In the Sky
(Ghost) Riders In the Sky
Vaughn Monroe
Written by Stan Jones
(peak Billboard position # 1 in 1949)
Monroe's version, as well as competing versions by Peggy Lee (# 2), Bing Crosby
(#14), and Burl Ives (# 21) were all charted as just "Riders In the Sky"
Later, the Ramrods took it to # 30 in 1961 with the parenthetical (Ghost) added, as did the Baja Marimba Band (#52 in 1966) and The Outlaws (#31 in 1981)
Lawrence Welk used the original title on his # 87 in 1961.
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
(Yippie-eye-ay, Yippie-eye-oh)
The 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 he heard their mournful cry
(Yippie-eye-ay, Yippie-eye-oh)
Ghost riders in the sky
Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, and 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
Yippie-eye-oh, Yippie-eye-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'ridin' on our range"
"Then, cowboy, change your ways today or with us you will ride"
"A'tryin' to catch the Devil's herd across these endless skies."
(Yippie-eye-ay) Yippie-eye-ay (Yippie-eye-oh) Yippie-eye-oh
Ghost riders in the sky!
(Yippie-eye-ay) (Yippie-eye-oh-oh)
source: Robin Hood
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