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 ploughin' through the ragged skies
And up a cloudy draw
Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o
The ghost herd in the sky
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves was made of steel
Their horns wuz 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
Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-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
'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snortin' fire
As they ride on, hear their cry
Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-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-riding on our range
Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride
A-try'ng to catch the devil's herd
Across these endless skies."
Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o
The ghost herd in the sky
Ghost riders in the sky