Riders in the Sky

Riders in the Sky

About Riders in the Sky

"(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend" is a cowboy-styled country/western song written in 1948 by American songwriter, film and television actor Stan Jones. A number of versions were crossover hits on the pop charts in 1949, the most successful being by Vaughn Monroe. The ASCAP database lists the song as "Riders in the Sky" (title code 480028324), but the title has been written as "Ghost Riders", "Ghost Riders in the Sky", and "A Cowboy Legend". Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as the greatest Western song of all time.  


Year:
1982
3:06
131 
#1

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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.

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Riders in the Sky

Riders in the Sky is an American Western music and comedy group which began performing in 1977. Their style also appeals to children, and they are sometimes considered a children's band. They have won two Grammy Awards and have written and performed music for major motion pictures, including "Woody's Roundup" from Toy Story 2 and Pixar's short film, For the Birds. more »

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Written by: Hughie Thomasson

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Stan Jones
Stan 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.
Vaughn Monroe
Vaughn 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.
Riders in the Sky
American 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.
Song Composition
The 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.
Song's Legacy
Many 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.
Film Appearances
The 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.
National Recording Registry
In 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".
Variations
The 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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