Riders in the Sky

Stan Jones

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An old cowpoke went riding out one dark and windy day
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Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
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When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw
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A'plowin' through the ragged skies, and up a cloudy draw

C                    Am
Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-yi-o
F          Dm     Am
Ghost herd in the sky

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Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
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Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breaths he could feel
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A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
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For he saw the riders coming hard and he heard their mournful cry

C                    Am
Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-yi-o
F            Dm     Am
Ghost riders in the sky

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Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, and shirts all soaked with sweat
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They're ridin' hard to catch that herd but they ain't caught them yet
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They've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
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On horses snortin' fire, as they ride on, hear their cry

C                    Am
Yi-pi-yi-o, Yi-pi-yi-o
F            Dm     Am
Ghost riders in the sky

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As the riders loped on by him, he heard one call his name
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"If you want to save your soul from hell a' ridin' on our range"
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"Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride"
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"A-tryin' to catch the Devil's herd across these endless skies."

C                    Am
Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-yi-o
F            Dm     Am
Ghost riders in the sky
C                    Am
Yi-pi-yi-ay, Yi-pi-yi-o