Monroe sang with some of the "Big Bands" of the '40s era, but his music transcended that style to become a popular radio and television personality - like Perry Como, Dean Martin, etc.
Ghost Riders in the Sky
Vaughn Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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-ploghin' through the ragged skies, and up a cloudy draw
(Yippee-i-ay yippee-i-o)
A ghost herd in the sky
Their horns were 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-i-ay yippee-i-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 'em yet
'Cause they got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snortin' fire, as they ride on hear their cry
Yippee-i-o yippee-i-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
(Yippee-i-ay) yippee-i-ay (yippee-i-o) yippee-i-o
Ghost riders in the sky
(Yippee-i-ay yippee-i-o)
The song "Ghost Riders in the Sky" tells the story of a cowboy who is riding on a dark and windy day and sees a herd of red-eyed cattle galloping across the sky. The cattle are driven by ghostly riders who are trying to catch them, but they can never seem to catch up. The cowboy is filled with fear as he watches the ghostly riders, and he hears their mournful cries as they travel across the sky.
The cowboy eventually hears one of the ghostly riders call out his name, warning him to change his ways if he wants to avoid riding with them on their eternal chase after the devil's herd. The chorus of the song, "yippee-i-ay yippee-i-o, ghost riders in the sky," serves to emphasize the eerie and supernatural nature of the ghostly riders.
The song captures the American frontier spirit and the myths and legends that often surrounded the cowboys of the Old West. It is a haunting and memorable tale that has been covered by many artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
An old cowpoke went riding out one dark and windy day
On a dark windy day, an old cowboy rode out on horseback
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
As he rode along, he took a break on a ridge
When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw
Suddenly he saw a massive herd of red-eyed cows
A-plowin' through the ragged skies, and up a cloudy draw
They were cutting through the skies and over a hazy canyon
(Yippee-i-ay yippee-i-o)
A ghost herd in the sky
It was a ghost herd in the sky, as he exclaimed (Yippee-i-ay yippee-i-o)
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
Their flesh seared with fire, steel hooves striking hard
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel
As they charged, he felt their black, gleaming horns and their fiery breath
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
He was hit by a jolt of fear as they viciously thundered by
For he saw the riders comin' hard, and he heard their mournful cry
As the riders charged forward, he heard their mournful battle cry
(Yippee-i-ay yippee-i-o)
Ghost riders in the sky
The ghost riders were in hot pursuit, as he exclaimed (Yippee-i-ay yippee-i-o)
Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, and shirts all soaked with sweat
The riders had sunken cheeks, bleary eyes and sweat-soaked clothes
They're ridin' hard to catch that herd, but they ain't caught 'em yet
Chasing the herd, but they haven't caught them yet
'Cause they got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
They'll ride forever through the endless skies
On horses snortin' fire, as they ride on hear their cry
Riding fiery horses and hearing their deafening war cry
Yippee-i-o, yippee-i-o
(Ghost riders in the sky)
He heard their call (Yippee-i-o, yippee-i-o) as the ghost riders chased across the sky
As the riders loped on by him, he heard one call his name
As they whizzed by him, one rider yelled his name
If you want to save your soul from hell a-ridin' on our range
To protect his soul from the rider's demonic grasp
Then cowboy, change your ways today, or with us you will ride
The rider warned the cowboy to change his ways or to ride with them
A-tryin' to catch the devil's herd across these endless skies
Chasing the Devil's herd forever across the skies
(Yippee-i-ay) yippee-i-ay (yippee-i-o) yippee-i-o
The cowboy heard them say (Yippee-i-ay) yippee-i-ay (yippee-i-o) yippee-i-o, as they faded away
Ghost riders in the sky
The ghost riders disappear as the cowboy repeats 'ghost riders in the sky'
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Stanley Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@expojett
An old cowpoke went ridin' 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
Come rushin' through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw.
Yipie i ay Yipie i oh
Ghost riders in the sky
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath you could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
He saw the riders coming hard... and he heard their mournful cry
Yipie i ay Yipie i oh
Ghost riders in the sky.
Their face is gaunt their eyes were blurred their shirts all soaked with sweat
They're ridin' hard to catch that herd but they 'aint caught 'em yet
'cause they've got to ride forever in the range up in the sky
On horses snorting fire as they ride hard hear them cry
Yipie i ay Yipie i oh
Ghost riders in the sky.
The riders leaned on by him he heard one call his name
If you want to save your soul from hell a riding on our range
Then cow-boy change your ways today or with us you will ride
Tryin' to catch this devil herd.... a-cross these endless
skies.
Yipie i ay Yipie i oh
Ghost riders in the sky.
Ghost riders in the sky.
Ghost riders in the sky.
@robertduff9058
In my humble opinion this is
the best version of the classic
Ghost Riders In The Sky.
Vaughan Monroe.
Thankyou👍👍✌
@joedidonato6977
Had goosebumps when I first heard it 73 years ago. Got 'em again just now.
@kennethjobson7978
me too it was only 72 years ago (yesterday)
@kamikazesoviet
I could only imagine the feeling. What a blessing to hear this at any time, any age
@jefffriedberg
Vaughan Monroe OWNS this tune!!!! I remember hearing it as a little kid in South Philly.
@philipgermani1616
One of the greatest recordings of all time.
@spinningbackspin
Don't you think it is like your conscience talkin to you? Clean up your act, young man?
@laurapriest8257
Hey Ya'll! When I was little, I lived with my Grandmother and she had an old trunk where she kept certain memorabilia. In this trunk she had a 78rpm recording of this song sung by Vaughn Monroe. I love this man. He was a legend. Thanks for reading my post and ya'll be safe and be well!😊
@robertyoung5061
Sounds as good now as it did 67 years ago! Thanks for posting this timeless classic!
@KeepItBrick
Robert Young 69 now