Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend) Songtext
von Burl Ives

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 the cloudy draw

Yippie ya yay
Yippie ya yo
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 coming hard and heard their mournful cry

Yippie ya yay
Yippie ya yo
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 cry

Yippie ya yay
Yippie ya yo
Ghostriders in the sky

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

Yippie ya yay
Yippie ya yo
The ghost herd in the sky
Ghost riders in the sky