[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 and play the fife lowly
Sing the Death March as you carry me along
Take me to the valley, there lay the sod o'er me
I'm a young cowboy and 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

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

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