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'plowin' through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw 

Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-yi-o 
Ghost riders in the sky 

Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel 
Their horns wuz black and shiny and their hot breaths 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 

Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-yi-o 
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 them yet 
They've got to ride forever in that range up in the sky 
On horses snortin' fire, as they ride on, hear their cry 

Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-yi-o 
Ghost riders 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' 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." 

Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-yi-o 
Ghost riders in the sky 
Ghost riders in the sky