The Streets of Laredo Lyrics

Beat the drum slowly
And play the fife lowly
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 young cowboy wrapped in white linen
Wrapped up 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 they carry me away
Take me to the green valley there lay the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong.

Twas once in the saddle I used to go dashing
Twas once in the saddle I used to go gay
First came the drinking and then the card playing
Got shot in the breast and I'm dying today.

Get sixteen gamblers to carry my coffin
Get six pretty maidens to bear up my part
Put bunches of roses all over my coffin
Roses to deaden the sod as it falls.

Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
Play the dead march as they carry me away
Take me to the green valley there lay the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong...