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

[Verse 2]
"I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy"
These words he did say as I boldly stepped by
"Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story
I was shot in the breast and I know I must die"

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

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

[Chorus]
We beat the drum slowly and played the fife lowly
And bitterly wept as we bore him along
For we all loved our comrade, so brave, young, and handsome
We all loved our comrade, although he'd done wrong