An old cowboy went out 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
Plowing through the ragged
sky and up a cloudy draw
Yippie-aye-aee, yippie-aye-ohh,
Ghost riders in the sky

Their brands were still on fire
And their hooves were made of steel
Their horns were black and shining
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-aye-ooh, yippie-aye-aee,
Ghost riders in the sky

Their faces gaunt their eyes
Were blurred and shirts all soaked with sweat
He's riding hard to catch that herd
But he ain't caught them 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
Yippie-aye-aee, yippie-aye-ohh,
Ghost riders in the sky

As the riders rode 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-trying to catch the devil's herd
Across these endless skies
Yippie-aye-aee, yippie-aye-ooh,
Ghost riders in the sky
Yippie-aye-aee, yippie-aye-ooh,
Ghost riders in the sky