As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I saw a young cowboy, wrapped all in white linen
Wrapped in white linen, as cold as the clay

      Oh, beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
      For now I lie wasted when once I stood strong
      Take me to the valley, there lay the sod o'er me
      I'm a young cowboy in a world that's gone wrong

I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy
These words he did say as I boldly walked by
Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story
Once I loved life, now I know I must die

      Oh, beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
      For now I lie wasted when once I stood strong
      Take me to the valley, there lay the sod o'er me
      I'm a young cowboy in a world that's gone wrong

Go fetch me some water, a cool cup of water
To cool my parched lips, then the poor cowboy said
Before I returned, his spirit had left him
Had gone to his Maker, the cowboy was dead

      Oh, beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
      For now I lie wasted when once I stood strong
      Take me to the valley, there lay the sod o'er me
      I'm a young cowboy in a world that's gone wrong