These lyrics were taken from the original 78-rpm recording by Vaughn Monroe around 1946- 1947.

Riders In The Sky

An old cowpoke went 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,
A' plowin' through the ragged skies,
and up a cloudy draw.

Yippee-I-A, Yippee-I-O, The Ghost herd in the sky.

Their brands 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 comin' hard,
and he heard their mournful cry.

Yippee-I-A, Yippee-I-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 ‘em yet.
For they got to ride forever on that range up in the sky,
On horse'es snortin' fire,
as they ride on, heard their cry

Yippee-I-O, Yippee-I-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 that devil's herd,
across these endless skies.

Yippee-I-A, Yippee-I-O, Ghost Riders in the sky.
Yippee-I-A, Yippee-I-O.

---

Note: these lyrics appear to be almost exactly the same as was added to the Digital Tradition in April, 1997.
-Joe Offer-