An old cowpoke went riding out one dark and windy day E5 Upon a ridge he rested as he went upon his way E5 ( C5 ) ( A5 ) ( C5 ) When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw C5 ( A5 ) E5 coming through the ragged sky, and up a cloudy draw E5 G5 Their brands were still on fire and their hot breath he could feel E5 Their horns were black and shiny and their hooves were made of steel E5 ( C5 ) ( A5 ) ( C5 ) A bolt of fear went through him as they rumbled through the sky C5 ( A5 ) E5 Then he saw the riders coming hard, and he heard their mournful cry CHORUS G5 E5 ( D5 ) Yippe-ai-ay, yippee-ai-oh C5 ( A5 ) E5 Ghost riders in the sky E5 G5 As the riders loped on by him , he heard one call his name E5 If you want to save your soul from hell, a riding on this range E5 ( C5 ) ( A5 ) ( C5 ) Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride C5 ( A5 ) E5 Trying to catch the devil's herd, across these endless skies