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
A plowing through the ragged sky
And up the cloudy draw!

Yippie yi yay
Yippie yi ooh
The ghost riders 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 coming hard
And he heard their mournful cry!

Yippie yi yay
Yippie yi ooh
The ghost riders in the sky!
Their faces gaunt, their eyes
Were blurred, and shirts all soaked with sweat
He's riding hard to catch that herd, but he ain't caught 'em yet
'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snorting fire
As they ride on hear their cry!

Yippie yi yay
Yippie yi ooh
The ghost riders in the sky!
As the riders loped on by him he heard one call out his name:
"If you want to save your soul from hell a-riding on our range
Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride
Trying to catch the devil's herd
Across these endless skies!"

Yippie yi yay
Yippie yi ooh
The ghost riders in the sky!
The ghost riders in the sky!