As I walked out in 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 and as cold as the clay

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've shot in the breast and I know I must die

It was once in the saddle I used to go dashing
Once in the saddle I used to go gay
First down to Rose's and then to the card-house
I've shot in the breast and I'm dying today

Get sixteen gamblers to carry my coffin
Six pretty maidens to sing me a song
Take me to the valley and lay the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong

So beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
Play the dead march as they carry me along
Put bunches of roses all over my coffin
Roses to deaden the clods as they fall

As I walked out in the streets of Laredo...