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'plowin' through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw

Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-yi-o
Ghost riders in the sky

Their brands were still on fire
and their hooves were made of steel
Their horns wuz black and shiny
and their hot breaths 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

Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-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
They've got to ride forever in that range up in the sky
On horses snortin' fire, as they ride on, hear their cry

Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-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' 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. "

Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-yi-o
Ghost riders in the sky
Ghost riders in the sky