Riders in the Sky
Vaughn Monroe
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A lone 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-plowin' through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw. Yippee-yi-yo, yippee-yi, 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 hots breath he could feel, A bolt of fear shot through him as he looked up in the sky, For he saw the riders comin' hard and he heard their mournful cry. Yippee-yi-yo, yippee-yi, ghost riders in the sky. Their faces were gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat, They're riding hard to catch that herd, but they ain't caught 'em yet, They're ridding hard forever on that range up in the sky, For they've got to catch the devil's herd as they ride on hill and cry. Yippee-yi-yo, yippee-yi, ghost riders in the sky. The cowpokes rode on past him and he heard one call his name, If you want to save your soul from hell a-riding on a range, Then cowboy change your ways today, or with us you will ride, A-trying to catch the devil's herd across these endless skies. Yippee-yi-yo, yippee-yi, the ghost riders in the sky
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Written by: Stanley Jones
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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. 20 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/35884477/Vaughn+Monroe/Riders+in+the+Sky>.
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