As I was a-riding the streets of Laredo
As I was a-riding Laredo one day
I spied a poor cowboy, all wrapped in white linen
Wrapped in white linen and as cold as the clay
I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy
These words he did say as I slowly rode by
Come dismount beside me and hear my sad story
Got shot in the breast and I know I must die
Once in the saddle, I used to go dashing
Once in the saddle, I rode on my way
First down to Rosy's and then to the cardhouse
I'm shot in the breast and I'm dying today"
Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
Play the death march as they carry me along
Take me to the green valley, lay the sod o'er me
I'm a poor cowboy and I know I've done wrong
Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin
Six pretty ladies to bear up my pall
Throw bunches of roses all over my casket
Roses to deaden the dirt as it falls
Please bring me a cup of that cool spring water
To ease my parched lips, the cowboy then said
But when I came back, his poor soul had left him
He had gone to his Maker, the cowboy was dead
Beat the drum slowly, play the fife lowly
Play the death march as you carry me along
Take me to the green valley, lay the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong
As I was a-riding the streets of Laredo
As I was a-riding Laredo one day
I spied a poor cowboy, all wrapped in white linen
Wrapped in white linen, as cold as the clay