As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I spied a poor cowboy, all wrapped in white linen
All wrapped in white linen and 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'm shot in the breast, and today I must die"
"It was once in the saddle I used to go dashing
Was once in the saddle I used to go gay
First down to Rosie's, and then to the card-house
Got shot in the breast, and I'm dying today"
"Oh, beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
And play the dead march as you carry me along
Put bunches of roses all over my coffin
Put roses to deaden the clods as they fall
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 and cold as the clay