Ghost Riders In The Sky

A haunting legend from the Texas Hill Country

 based on a real tragedy called Stampede Mesa.

During a fall cattle drive in 1889, an infuriated trail boss

named Sawyer drove his herd of cattle through a new

homestead built across the trail, crushing everything
and everyone inside the house

 A  violent thunderstorm suddenly blew up,

causing the confused cattle to panic even more,

 and keeping them running full force until they ran

off several cliffs to their deaths.

Unfortunately, the cowhands chasing after the

rushing herd could not stop their horses in time,

and they too toppled over the cliffs to their untimely deaths.

An old cowboy 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-plowing through the ragged sky and up the cloudy draw

Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel

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 coming hard and he heard their mournful cry.

Yippie yi ooh

Yippie yi yay

Ghost riders in the sky

Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat,

He's riding hard to catch that herd, but he ain't caught'em yet

'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky

On horses snorting fire

As they ride on hear their cry

As the riders loped 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

Trying to catch the devil's herd across these endless skies

Yippie yi ooh

Yippie yi yay

Ghost riders in the sky

Ghost riders in the sky

Ghost riders in the sky

Ghost Riders In The Sky

Johnny Cash

(1979)

"Ghost Riders In The Sky"
Words and Music by Stan Jones
(1948)