As I walked out in the streets of Laredo as I walked out in Laredo one day

I saw a young cowboy all dressed in white linen

Dressed in white linen as cold as the clay

So beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly

Play the dead march as you carry me along

Take me to the green valley they'll lay the sod o'er me

For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong



Once in a saddle I used to go dashing once in a saddle I used to go gay

First to the courthouse and lay down the roses

But I'm shot in the breast and I'm dyin' today

Bring sixteen tall cowboys to carry my casket ten pretty women to sing me a song

Take me to the green valley they'll lay the sod o'er me

For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong

Please beat the drum slowly...