June 2024
The Streets of Laredo
American Cowboy Ballad
As I was out walking
the streets of Laredo
as I walked out in Laredo
one day
I met a young cowboy
all dressed in white linen,
all dressed in white linen
as cold as the clay.
“I see by your outfit
that you are a cowboy.”
These words he did say
as I boldly stepped by.
“Come sit down beside me
and hear my sad story;
I was shot in the breast;
and I know I must die.
O beat the drums slowly,
and play the fife lowly,
And play the dead march
as you bear me along.
Take me to the green valley
and lay the sod o’er me,
For I’m a young cowboy,
and I know I’ve done wrong.
Once in the saddle
I used to go dashing
Once in the saddle
I used to go gay
First to the card-house
and then down to Rosy’s
Bur I’m shot in the breast
and I’m dying today.
Bring six tall young
cowboys to carry
my casket
Six pretty maids for to sing
me a song.
Take me to green valleys,
there lay the sod o’er me.
For I’m a young cowboy
and I know I’ve done wrong.
Please fetch me some water,
a cool cup of water
To cool my parched lips,”
the poor cowboy said.
Before I return-ed
his Spirit had left him
Had gone to his Maker
the cowboy was dead.
I’ll beat the drum slowly
and play the fife lowly
to play the death march
as he’s carried along.
I shall take him to
green valleys
and lay the sacred sod o’er him
For he was a young cowboy
who knew he’d done wrong.
