Riders in the Sky
Riders in the Sky
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
An old cowpoke 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 ploughin' through the ragged skies And up a cloudy draw. Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o, The ghost herd in the sky. Their brands were still on fire and their hooves was made of steel, Their horns wuz 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-yi-ay, yippee-yi-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 them yet 'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky, On horses snortin' fire As they ride on, hear their cry. Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-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-riding on our range, Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride A-try'ng to catch the devil's herd Across these endless skies." Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o, The ghost herd in the sky. Ghost riders in the sky.
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
8 facts about this song
Stan JonesStan Jones wrote "Riders in the Sky", also known as "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend".
- He was a Death Valley Ranger in California when he wrote the song in 1948.
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Vaughn MonroeVaughn Monroe's version, recorded in 1949, is arguably the most successful and most recognized.
- Monroe's version reached number one on Billboard's Pop Singles chart, becoming a huge hit.
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Riders in the SkyAmerican western music band "Riders in the Sky" also recorded their version of the song.
- Their version was awarded the Western Heritage Award by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 1987.
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Song CompositionThe song tells a story about a cowboy who encounters a spectral herd of cattle and their ghostly riders, who admonish him to change his ways or he'll suffer the same fate.
- The memorable melody of the song is noted for its haunting quality.
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Song's LegacyMany artists, across various music genres, have covered "Riders in the Sky", including Johnny Cash, Bing Crosby, and Peggy Lee.
- Since 1948, it has been recorded more than 50 times in multiple languages.
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Film AppearancesThe song features in numerous films, helping to enhance the feel of the American West. These films include "Ghost Rider" and "Riders in the Sky".
- Stan Jones himself has even acted in some Westerns.
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National Recording RegistryIn 2016, Vaughn Monroe's version of "Riders in the Sky" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
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VariationsThe composition has numerous variations. Some versions are more upbeat, featuring a faster tempo, while others maintain a slow, haunting tone.
- Some versions of the song contain a spoken word section, further enhancing the story-telling aspect of the song.
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Citation
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"Riders in the Sky Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/938980/Riders+in+the+Sky/Riders+in+the+Sky>.
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