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 dead 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