The Streets of Laredo
Ballad of Regret: A Cowboy's Final Tale
Lyrics
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
Reflecting on a stroll in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
Continuing the narrative of walking in Laredo
I spied a young cowboy, all wrapped in white linen
Spotting a young cowboy dressed in white linen
Wrapped in white linen, as cold as the clay
The cowboy is wrapped in white linen, symbolizing death
I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy
Observing the cowboy's outfit and identifying him as a cowboy
These words he did speak as I slowly walked by
The cowboy speaks, inviting the narrator to sit and hear his sad story
Come sit here beside me and hear my sad story
The cowboy shares his impending death and the need to confess
For I'm a young cowboy and know I must die
Expressing awareness of his fate as a young cowboy
So, beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
Calling for a solemn procession with drum and fife
Sing the Death March as you carry me along
Instructing to sing the Death March during the procession
Take me to the valley, there lay the sod o'er me
Requesting burial in the valley with sod over him
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong
Acknowledging wrongdoing as a young cowboy
Once in the saddle I used to go dashing
Recalling carefree days of riding in the saddle
Once in the saddle I used to go gay
Describing a shift from joyful activities to a tragic end
First to the cardhouse and then down to Rosy's
Mentioning visits to a cardhouse and Rosy's establishment
But I'm shot in the breast and I'm dyin' today
Revealing being shot in the breast and facing imminent death
Bring six tall young cowboys to carry my casket,
Requesting six cowboys to carry the casket and six maids to sing
Six pretty maids for to sing me a song
Emphasizing the need for a song during the procession
Take me to green valleys, there lay the sod o'er me
Choosing burial in green valleys with sod covering
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong
Reiterating awareness of wrongdoing as a young cowboy
Fetch me some water, a cool cup of water
Requesting water to quench thirst in the face of death
To cool my parched lips, then the poor cowboy said
The cowboy's plea for a cool cup of water
Before I returned, his spirit had left him
Upon the narrator's return, the cowboy has passed away
Had gone to his Maker, the cowboy was dead.
Confirming the cowboy's departure to the afterlife
So, beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
Reiterating the call for a solemn procession with drum and fife
Play the Death March as you carry me along
Stressing the need to play the Death March during the procession
Take me to green valleys, there lay the sod o'er me
Choosing burial in green valleys with sod covering (repeated)
For I'm a young cowboy and I known I've done wrong
Acknowledging wrongdoing as a young cowboy (repeated)
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