Ghost Riders In The Sky
Dick Dale Lyrics

An old cowpoke went riding out one dark and windy day,
The story begins with an old cowboy venturing out on a gloomy day.

Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way,
While traveling, the cowboy rested on a ridge.

When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw,
Suddenly, he spotted a huge herd of fierce-looking cows with red eyes.

A ploughin' through the ragged skies
These cows were moving through the fragmented sky.

And up a cloudy draw.
They were going towards the end of a stormy valley.

Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o,
The cowboy is excited and cheering for the mysterious sight he's witnessing.

The ghost herd in the sky.
These cows seemed ethereal and ghostly.

Their brands were still on fire and their hooves was made of steel,
The cows' brands were still burning, and their hooves were like metal.

Their horns wuz black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel,
Their horns were glossy with black color, and he could feel the warmth of their breathing.

A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky,
The sight was terrifying, and the thundering sound added to the cowboy's panic.

For he saw the riders comin' hard
The cowboy saw the riders approaching at a fast pace.

And he heard their mournful cry.
He heard their lamenting voice, and it added to his distress.

Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o,
The cowboy's yelling continues in excitement despite the terrifying situation.

Ghost riders in the sky.
The riders and cows seemed ghostly and supernatural.

Their faces gaunt their eyes were blurred and shirts all soaked With sweat,
The riders looked grim and weak, their gaze clouded and their shirts soaked with sweat.

They're ridin' hard to catch that herd but they ain't caught them yet
They're working hard to catch the wild cows, but they haven't been successful yet.

'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky,
The riders are destined to ride continuously on the sky ranch.

On horses snortin' fire As they ride on, hear their cry.
They ride on horses that emit fire as they cry in misery.

Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o,
The cowboy is still cheering with enthusiasm.

Ghost riders in the sky.
The riders and cows are still ghostly and supernatural.

As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his name,
As the riders passed by the cowboy, he heard one of them call his name.

"If you want to save your soul from hell a-riding on our range,
The rider warned the cowboy to change his wicked ways if he wants to save his soul while riding through their realm.

Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride
Otherwise, the cowboy would be doomed to ride along with the riders forever.

A-try'ng to catch the devil's herd Across these endless skies."
He would join the riders in pursuit of the damned cows across the unlimited skies.

Ghost riders in the sky.
The song ends with repeating the same phrase, emphasizing the ghostly and chilling experience of the cowboy's encounter.