STREETS OF LAREDO (Cowboy's Lament)


As I walked out on the streets of Laredo,
As I walked out in Laredo one day,
I spied a young cowboy all 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,
I was shot in the breast and I know I must die."

"Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin,
Get six pretty maidens to sing me a love 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."

"It was once in the saddle I used to go dashing
Once in the saddle I used to go gay,
First down to the dram-house and then to the card house
Got shot in the breast, I am dying today."

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.

Traditional / Arr. Roger McGuinn / McGuinn Music 2001
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the following is sung by Marty Robins:

The Streets of Laredo

As I walked out on the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I spied a young cowboy all wrapped in white linen
Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay

Oh beat the drum slowly and play the five lories
Sing the death march as you carry me along
Take me to the valley to 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
I was shot in the breast and I know I must die

Go fetch me some water a cool cup of water
To cool my parts lips then the poor cowboy says
Bevore I returned the spirit had left him
Had gone to his maker the cowboy was dead

Oh beat the drum slowly and play the five lories
Sing the death march as you carry me along
Take me to the valley to lay the sod o'er me
I'm a young cowboy and know I've done wrong