Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong

As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I spied a poor cowboy 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
Got shot in the breast and I know I must die

Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
Play the dead march as you carry me along
Take me to the graveyard and throw the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong

T'was once in the saddle I used to go dashing
T'was once in the saddle I used to go gay
First got to drinking then two card playing
Got shot in the breast and I'm dying today

Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong