Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly For I’m a young cowboy and I know I’ve done wrong
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo As I walked out in Laredo one day I spied a poor cowboy wrapped in white linen Wrapped 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 Got shot in the breast and I know I must die
Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly Play the dead march as you carry me along Take me to the graveyard and throw the sod o’er me For I’m a young cowboy and I know I’ve done wrong
T’was once in the saddle I used to go dashing T’was once in the saddle I used to go gay First got to drinking then two card playing Got shot in the breast and I’m dying today
Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly For I’m a young cowboy and I know I’ve done wrong