Posted on 01/02/2023 9:10:38 AM PST by nuconvert
I turned on the tv to watch the Rose Parade this morning just in time to hear an Ariz. marching band playing Ghost Riders. It was a favorite of someone now passed, so I decided to do some research on it and this is what I found. _________________________________________________
Texas is full of lore, legends, and ghost stories. The tale of the Ghost Riders is by far the saddest, most evil, not to mention, the most famous one in the country. This legend is sadly true, a senseless ghoulish tragedy which took place in Crosby County, Texas. You may know it as Stampede Mesa. The legend inspired the classic song “Ghost Riders in the Sky.”
It all began like any other cattle drive should have back in the fall of 1889. The weather had been less than cooperative; the cowboys were worn to a frazzle and the herd had been restless the entire trip. Late one night as they began climbing the slope to the top of the range near some water, a storm began brewing. They’d planned to set up camp just over the ridge near the water. Sawyer, the trail boss rode ahead to check out the surroundings and look out for Indians. He was shocked to see a brand new homestead perched right on top of the hill. He’d taken this route hundreds of times without incident, but now this was blocking his entire herd from crossing. It wouldtake hours to go around it.
Sawyer became infuriated. Without explanation, he shouted and cursed and, waved a blanket high into the air to create a stampede. The nervous cattle scattered. Horses, some with riders, some without began running with all their might. His men obediently followed behind. Sawyer was screaming, whipping at the animals, as lightning bolts began flashing through the sky. The panicked livestock hurled straight through the farmhouse crushing everyone and everything in its path. No one could hear the screams of the innocent as the animals raged through. Loud thunder and dark skies madethe terrified herd keep running until they ran off of several nearby cliffs to their death. Horses holding the cowhands followed behind.
Near dawn, Sawyer began surveying the devastating damage he’d caused. Below the mesa were nearly 700 dead steer. Lifeless cowpokes and their horses scattered around them. With no remorse in his soul, he ordered what was left of his hired help to round up the remaining three hundred cattle and hit the trail again.
When the drive ended, it’s said he never worked again. No one would work for him and try as he might, not a soul would hire him, even for menial tasks. Folks in that area turned their backs on him and he took comfort in liquor.He was never seen again
The following season, another trail boss and his men bedded down their herd on top of that same mesa which had been cleared of any previous devastation or debris. The skies were perfectly clear. In the early hours of the morning, for no apparent reason, the herd charged. Again, most of them and four other cowboys riding horses fell off the cliffs to their deaths. Unlike Sawyer, this trail boss was overcome with guilt and grief. He, too, turned to the bottle and was never heard from again.
Several more attempts by other outfits which baulked at the previous stories ended with the same results. Word spread, everyone believed evil was perched on top of Stampede Mesa.
All cattle drives from then on avoided that part of Texas. Only lone horsemen and curiosity seekers pass through now. Stories of ghostly counterparts up in the sky have been witnessed along with claims of blood-curdling screams and sounds of angry hooves of phantom longhorns. People still swear today to the haunting in that part of the Texas sky.
This particular legend inspired songwriter Stan Jones to write a western melody in 1948 about this tableland in Crosby County, Texas. “Ghost Riders in the Sky” was set to an old Irish song called “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye”. This Texas legend has spread throughout the world through music. Even if you’ve never heard the spooky legend of this evil, most likely you’ve heard the song.
Burl Ives was the first of more than 50 singers who have recorded this iconic tune. It’s become the most-recorded composed western song of all time. When Johnny Cash performed it, it topped the charts for months. The words remain exactly as they were originally written.
An old cowboy went ridin’ out one dark and windy day Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw Plowin’ through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky For he saw the riders comin’ hard and he heard their mournful cries
Yippie I ohhh ohh ohh Yippie I aye ye ye Ghost riders in the sky
Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred Their shirts all soaked with sweat He’s ridin’ hard to catch that herd But he ain’t caught em yet Cause they got to ride forever in that range up in the sky On horses snortin’ fire as they ride on hear their cries
As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his name ‘If you wanna save your soul from hell a-ridin’ on our range Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride Tryin’ to catch the devil’s herd across these endless skies
Yippie I ohhh oh oh Yippie I aye ye ye Ghost riders in the sky Ghost riders in the sky Ghost riders in the sky
The writer said Burl Ives was the first to record, but it may have been Vaughn Monroe in 1949.
Other popular recordings were by Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins
Sorry, lyrics didn’t get formatted quite right.
Ghost Chickens In the Sky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAjNuPc6Bi4
Great back story. I like The Outlaws version myself.
Wow, I had no idea that this was the story behind the song. How sad.
That’s the definitive version.
Neither did I. It’s horrific
Sons of the Pioneers version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMqKv7BOg_s
My father had the 78 of Vaughn Monroe.
Burl Ives’ and Vaughn Monroe’s versions charted about the same time—late spring of ‘49—but Vaughn had the bigger hit.
I heard it first in ‘51 when I was two, and it’s been a favorite ever since. Didn’t know about the backstory, but it would require one like that.
You beat me to it. The bass player cracks me up.
Exactly right. #1 on the Hit Parade by VAUGHN MONROE the year I was born. It’s always been a favorite of mine.
What was the "mesa" is now a peninsula surrounded by the White River Lake.
One has driven through Post TX on the way to Lubbock from I20. Take FM 651 over to Kalgary and the lake is a few miles beyond that town.
That’s the best one.
It’s good. Kind of more modern.
Here’s Marty Robbins, nice guitar work tho a bit hard to hear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD5kS3G1Jkk
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