STREETS OF LAREDO
(Attributed to Francis Henry Maynard, 1876 - Based on the Irish ballads, "A Handful Of Laurel" and
"The Bard Of Armagh")
(Traditional)
Recorded by: Jim Reeves; Johnny Cash; Marty Robbins; Willie Nelson; Roger McGuinn; Vince Gill; Ace Cannon;
Dick Curless; John Stewart; Tom Jones; Marty Robbins; Duane Eddy; Sleepy LaBeef; Waylon Jennings; Moe Bandy;
Gary Smart; Eddy Arnold; Billy Walker; Jim Hendricks; Grady Martin; Johnny Bond; Arlo Guthrie; Chet Atkins;
Rex Allen; Don Gibson; Buck Owens; John Cale; Michael Martin Murphey; Roy Rogers & Dale Evans; Floyd Cramer.
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo,
As I walked out in Laredo one day,
I spied a young cowboy wrapped up in white linen,
Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay.
"Oh beat the drums slowly and play the fife lowly;
Singy the Death March as you carry me along.
Take me to the valley, there lay the sod o'er me,
I'm a young cowboy and know I´ve done wrong."
"I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy."
These words he did say as I boldly walked by.
"Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story;
Got shot in the breast and I know I must die!"
"My friends and relations they live in the Nation:
They know not where their dear boy has gone.
I first came to Texas and hired to a ranchman,
Oh I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong."
"It was once in the saddle I used to go dashing:
It was once in the saddle I used to go gay.
First to the dram house and then to the card house,
Got shot in the breast and I'm dying today."
"Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin;
Get six pretty maidens to sing me a song.
Put bunches of roses all over my coffin,
Put roses to deaden the sods as they fall."
"Go gather around you a group of young cowboys,
And tell them the story of this my sad fate.
Tell one and the other before they go further,
To stop their wild roving before it's too late."
"Oh, bury me beside my knife and my shooter,
My spurs on my heels, my rifle by my side.
And over my coffin put a bottle of brandy,
That the cowboys may drink as they carry me along."
"Go fetch me some water, a cool cup of water
To cool my parched lips," the poor cowboy then said.
Before I returned his spirit had left him
Had gone to his Maker, the cowboy was dead.
We beat the drum slowly and played the fife lowly,
And bitterly wept as we bore him along.
For we all loved our comrade, so brave, young, and handsome,
We all loved our comrade although he'd done wrong.
*****
STREETS OF LAREDO (THE COWBOY'S LAMENT)
(Traditional Variation)
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I spied a poor cowboy wrapped up in white linen
All 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 proudly stepped by
"Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story
I'm shot in the breast and I know I must die
Let sixteen gamblers come handle my coffin,
Let sixteen cowboys come sing me a song,
Take me to the graveyard and lay the sod o'er me,
For I'm a poor cowboy and I know I've done wrong.
'Twas once in the saddle I used to go ridin'
Once in the saddle I used to go gay
First lead to drinkin', and then to card-playing
Got shot in the breast and I'm dying today
Let six jolly cowboys come carry my coffin
Let six pretty gals come to carry my pall
Throw bunches of roses all over my coffin
Throw roses to deaden the clods as they fall
Oh, beat the drum slowly, and play the fife lowly
And play the dead march as you carry me along
Take me to the green valley and lay the earth o'er me
For I'm a poor cowboy and I know I've done wrong"
Then swing your rope slowly and rattle your spurs lowly,
And give a wild whoop as you carry me along;
And in the grave throw me and roll the sod o'er me.
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong.
Go bring me a cup, a cup of cold water.
To cool my parched lips," the cowboy then said.
Before I returned, his soul had departed,
And gone to the round up......the cowboy was dead.
We beat the drum slowly and played the fife lowly
And bitterly wept as we carried him along
For we all loved our comrade, so brave, young and handsome
We all loved our comrade although he done wrong
*****
STREETS OF LAREDO
(Arranged, adapted & recorded by Jane Siberry - 1999)
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I spied a young cowboy dressed up in white linen
Dressed up in white linen as cold as the clay
He was a young cowboy in search of a homeland
He rode 'cross the ranges in search of a bride
His strength was his glory, so brave and so handsome
His weakness was gambling, his downfall was pride
O beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
He's gone to his maker this fair windy day
Sing the hymns sweetly
And place the flowers softly
For the young cowboy that lies here today
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I spied a young cowboy dressed up in white linen
Dressed up in white linen as cold as the clay
