(Ghost) Riders In The Sky Chords

KeyEm CapoNone TuningStandard Difficulty Plays577

(Ghost) Riders In The Sky by Cowboy is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of Em. It uses the chords Em, C/E, A/E, C, Am, G and D. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.

Transpose
Em
Text
16
Speed
  			  
An old cowpoke went riding out one dark and windy day.  
  Em  
Upon a ridge he rested as he went upon his way,  
     Em            (C/E)         (A/E)            (C/E)  
When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw  
C                         (Am)     Em  
plowing through the ragged sky and up a cloudy draw. 

First refrain (optional): 
Yippie-i-ay, yippie-i-o! ghost herd in the sky 
  
      Em                                  G   
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel;  
      Em  
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel!  
  Em               (C/E)               (A/E)               (C/E)    
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky,  
        C                          (Am)        Em  
For he saw the riders coming hard     and he heard their mournful cry:  
  
 
         G             Em    (D)  
Yippe-i-ay, yippee-i-o!  
C           (Am)    Em  
Ghost riders in the sky.  
  
           Em                                                               G 
Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat, 
              Em 
They're riding hard to catch that herd, but they ain't caught 'em yet. 
              Em         C/E                       A/E                C/E 
They've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky 
            C                   Am                  Em 
With horses snorting fire!  As they ride on, hear them cry: 

refrain  
       Em                         G   
As the riders rode on by him, he heard one call his name:  
       Em  
If you want to save your soul from hell, a-riding on this range,  
     Em                (C/E)         (A/E)            (C/E)   
Then, cowboy, change your ways today or with us you will ride  
C                              (Am)    Em  
Trying to catch the devil's herd across these endless skies.  
    	

Chord diagrams

Guitar tuner

--
Start the tuner and play a string

Reference tones

Standard tuning, lowest to highest. Click a string to play it; the string the mic hears is highlighted.

Click Start tuner and allow microphone access. The needle centers and turns green when a string is in tune (within 5 cents).
No microphone? You can still tap any string above to hear its exact reference pitch.

Metronome

100 BPM Andante