[Verse 1]
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I spied a young cowboy wrapped all in white linen
Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay

[Chorus]
Oh, beat the drum slowly, play the fife lowly
Sing the Death March as you carry me along
Take me to the green valley, there lay the sod o'er me
I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong

[Verse 2]
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
Got shot in the breast and I know I must die"

[Chorus]
Beat the drum slowly, play the fife lowly
Sing the Death March as you carry me along
Take me to the green valleys, there lay the sod o'er me
I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong

[Verse 3]
"Go fetch me some water, a cool drink of water
To cool my parched lips," the poor cowboy said
Before I returned, his spirit had left him
He had gone to his Maker, the cowboy was dead

[Chorus]
Beat the drum slowly, play the fife lowly
Sing the Death March as you carry me along
Take me to the green valleys, and lay the sod o'er me
I'm a young cowboy and I known I've done wrong
I'm a young cowboy and I known I've done wrong