(Ghost) Riders in the Sky (Stan Jones cover) Lyrics
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way.
When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw
ploughing through the ragged skys and up the cloudy draws.
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 comming hard and he heard their mournful cry.
Yippee-I-Oh...
Yippee-I-Ay...
Ghost riders in the sky.
He's riding hard to catch that herd but he aint caught them yet.
Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky.
All horses snorting fire as they ride on hear their cry.
"If you want to save your soul from hell 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.
Yippee-I-Oh...
Yippee-I-Ay...
Ghost riders in the sky.(x3)
this song is so badass! johnny is telling the story of a cowboy who looks up into the sky one night to see the ghosts of sinning cowboys who are condemned for eternity to chase the devil's cattle across the endless skies... one of which warns him to "change his ways" or becoming a better person, otherwise he will suffer their same fate.
I don't know if this has been mentioned as I haven't read many of the posts, but this song is strikingly similar to the Celtic myth of The Wyld Hunt. It just has a Christian and old west bent to it.
For those who don't know, here's the skinny:
I cant believe this only has one comment! the song is amazing, i think its about a message from these 'ghost riders' telling a guy that hes basically been a twat, anbd needs to change his actions
great song
hey guys lets remember johnny cash didn't write this song! it was written in 1948 by a guy called stan jones, but cash still did a cool cover of it
Aside from the fact that the lyrics, as presented here, contain errors, and the fact that Johnny Cash's version is one of over 200, it's a great song.
See:
http://www.secretspain.org/ghostriders.html
for a collection of versions.
OK I can understand the Cowboys who have sinned and been doomed to a Hell of riding the range for eternity.
But what could the Cows have possibly done to deserve the same fate?
What sins could a cow possibly commit? Can anyone imagine a sinful cow? I certainly can't.
BTW terrific song. Gives me shivers whenever I hear it.
But I am still worried about the cows.
@Durango I don't think the cows are real "cows" - I guess they are just lesser demons that took on the shape of cows to match the eternal torment of the cowboys; I mean, I also don't think the horses of those cowboys are the spirits of "sinful horses" - most probably they are nightmares (the evil spirits, "Nachtmahr" in German language), and that makes it even more hard to keep up with the "cows", because those "horses" sure are wild and unfriendly.
@Durango I don't think the cows are real "cows" - I guess they are just lesser demons that took on the shape of cows to match the eternal torment of the cowboys; I mean, I also don't think the horses of those cowboys are the spirits of "sinful horses" - most probably they are nightmares (the evil spirits, "Nachtmahr" in German language), and that makes it even more hard to keep up with the "cows", because those "horses" sure are wild and unfriendly.
I really like this song - because...
I really like this song - because it makes me "see" what happens in the lyrics (not so many songs achieve that). But I always wondered what sins did the "old cowboy" commit? Though it's probably a really good thing we never learn about it - because that means everyone of us could be the cowboy, and every now and then we should re-think our way of living.
this song is awesome. its so.. epic. very visual. ive loved this song since i was a little kid.
I cant believe this only has one comment! the song is amazing, i think its about a message from these 'ghost riders' telling a guy that hes basically been a twat, anbd needs to change his actions
great song
Oh he's been a twat :D ? well thats deep
oh shup. i was probly high, gimme some slack. you got what i meant anyway.