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 Flowing through the ragged sky, sped up a cloudy draw Yippee-aye-oh, yippee-aye-oh The ghost herd in the sky Their friends 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 them mournful cry Yippee-aye-oh, yippee-aye-oh Ghost riders in the sky Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred and shirts all soaked with sweat They're riding hard to catch that herd but they ain't caught them yet Cause they've got to ride forever in that range up in the sky On horses snorting fire as they ride on hear their cry Yippee-aye-oh, yippee-aye-oh 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 or riding on a range Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride Trying to catch the devil's herd across these endless skies Yippee-aye-oh, yippee-aye-oh Ghost riders in the sky