Streets of Laredo

As I walked out by St. James Hospital

Cold was the morning and wet was the day

Oh, who should I spy but a handsome young sailor

All wrapped up in flannel and colder than clay

His poor old father and his dear old mother

Oft-times did warn of the gay city life

But along with those flash girls, his money, he squandered

And along with those flash girls, he took his delight

Then beat the drum over him, play the fife merrily

Sound the dead march as you carry him on

Take him to the churchyard, and throw the earth over him

For he's a young sailor cut down in his prime

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

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 boldly passed by

Come and sit here beside me and hear my sad story

I'm shot in the breast, and I know I must die

So beat the drum slowly, and play the fife lowly

Play the dead march as you carry me along

Take me to the green 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 you carry me along

Take me to the green valley, and lay the sod o'er me

For I'm a young cowboy, and I know I've done wrong

It was once in the saddle I used to go dashing

Once in the saddle I galloped away

It was first to the alehouse and then to the card house

I'm shot in the breast, and I'm dying today

So beat the drum slowly, and play the fife lowly

Play the dead march as you carry me along

Take me to the green valley, and lay the sod o'er me

For I'm a young cowboy, and I know I've done wrong

For I'm a young cowboy, and I know I've done wrong