Cover art for Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend) by Vaughn Monroe

Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend)

May. 19491 viewer

Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend) Lyrics

[Verse 1]
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-ploughin' through the ragged skies, and up a cloudy draw

[Chorus]
(Yippee-i-ay yippee-i-o)
A ghost herd in the sky

[Verse 2]
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

[Chorus]
(Yippee-i-ay yippee-i-o)
Ghost riders in the sky

[Verse 3]
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 got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snortin' fire, as they ride on hear their cry
[Chorus]
Yippee-i-o yippee-i-o
(Ghost riders in the sky)

[Verse 4]
As the riders loped 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 the devil's herd across these endless skies

[Chorus]
(Yippee-i-ay) yippee-i-ay (yippee-i-o) yippee-i-o
Ghost riders in the sky
(Yippee-i-ay yippee-i-o)

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

About

Have the inside scoop on this song?
Sign up and drop some knowledge

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

  1. 1.
    Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend)
  2. 2.
    Rain (Missing Lyrics)
  3. 3.
    Cape Cod Clambake (Missing Lyrics)
  4. 5.
    You Were Meant For Me (Missing Lyrics)
  5. 6.
    Commodore Clipper (Missing Lyrics)
  6. 7.
    Take It, Jackson (Missing Lyrics)
  7. 10.
    Something Sentimental; Blue Moon; Let’s Have A Cigarette Together (Missing Lyrics)
  8. 12.
    Boston Rocker (Missing Lyrics)
Credits
Release Date
May 1949
Tags
Comments