As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I saw a young cowboy all dressed in white linen
Dressed in white linen as cold as the clay.

So beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
Play the death march as you carry me along
Take me to the green valley, they'll lay the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong.

Once in a saddle I used to go dashing
Once in a saddle I used to go gay
First to the courthouse and lay down the roses
But I'm shot in the breast and I'm dyin' today.

Bring sixteen tall cowboys to carry my casket
Ten pretty women to sing me a song
Take me to the green valley they'll lay the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong.

Please beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
Play the death march as you carry me along
Take me to the green valley, they'll lay the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong...