About the song
“(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” as interpreted by The Highwaymen is a powerful and haunting rendition of a classic Western folk song. While the song has seen numerous interpretations, The Highwaymen’s version, released in 1980, stands as a testament to their collective vocal prowess and their ability to imbue a timeless melody with a sense of gravitas and drama.
The song’s narrative, originally written by Stan Jones, tells the story of a cowboy who witnesses a chilling vision of ghostly riders chasing diabolical cattle across the sky. The lyrics, rich in imagery and symbolism, evoke a sense of both awe and dread, capturing the raw power and untamed spirit of the Old West. The Highwaymen’s vocal delivery, marked by its raw emotion and dramatic phrasing, transforms the song into a cinematic experience.
The Highwaymen’s vocal styles, while distinct, blend seamlessly in this collaboration. Each member of the group—Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson—brings their own unique vocal timbre and interpretive style to the song, creating a rich and layered tapestry of sound. They don’t just sing the lyrics; they embody them, conveying the awe and dread of the narrator with a palpable sense of sincerity.
The song’s arrangement, typically dramatic and cinematic, allows the vocals and the narrative to take center stage. The driving rhythm, soaring harmonies, and orchestral flourishes create a sense of grandeur and intensity, mirroring the song’s epic scope.
“(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” in The Highwaymen’s hands, becomes more than just a Western folk song; it’s a cinematic experience, a haunting tale of the Old West told through powerful vocals and dramatic instrumentation. It’s a testament to their collective artistry and their ability to breathe new life into a timeless classic.
Video
Lyrics
Well, an old cowboy went riding out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw
Plowing through the ragged sky
And up the cloudy draw
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
He saw the riders coming hard
And he heard their mournful cry
Yippie-yi-ay (yippie-yi-ay)
Yippie-yi-yay (yippie-yi-yay)
Ghost riders in the sky
Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat
He’s riding hard to catch that herd, but he ain’t caught ’em yet
‘Cause they’ve got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snorting fire
As they ride on hear their cry
As the riders passed on by him he heard one call his name (Merle Haggard)
If you want to save your soul from hell a-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
Yippie-yi-ay (yippie-yi-ay)
Yippie-yi-yay (yippie-yi-yay)
You lost a “yippie” there
Ghost riders in the sky
Ghost riders in the sky
