[Music & lyrics by Stan Jones, 1949]



An old cowboy went out on a 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

Plowing through the ragged sky and up a cloudy draw.



Yippie aye-aaa, yippie aye-ooh.

Ghost riders in the sky.



Their brands were still on fire

and their hooves were made of steel

Their horns were black and shining

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 cry.



Yippie aye-aaa, yippie aye-ooh.

Ghost riders in the sky.



Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred

and shirts all soaked with sweat

They're riding hard to catch that head

but they ain't caught them yet,

'cause they've got to ride forever

on that range up in the sky

On horses snorting as they ride

and hear their awful cry



Yippie aye-aaa, yippie aye-ooh.

Ghost riders in the sky.



As the riders loped on by him

he heard one calls his name

If you want to save your soul

from hell riding on your range

Then cowboy change your ways today

or with us you will ride

Trying to catch the devil's herd

across these endless skies



Yippie aye-aaa, yippie aye-ooh.

Ghost riders in the sky.