The Ghost Riders returned

Songtext

[Intro – spoken, very deep gravelly voice] Old men told us stories, Of riders in the night... Chasin’ damned cattle, Through clouds of fire and light. I laughed at every word they said... Till I saw ’em for myself. [Verse 1] I was ridin’ through the badlands, With the daylight nearly gone, A blood-red sun behind me, And a cold wind comin’ on. Then somewhere in the distance, I heard a lonesome cry, And thunder rolled across the hills, But not a cloud left in the sky. [Verse 2] My horse began to tremble, Wouldn’t take another stride, I pulled my coat around me, And looked across the mountainside. There were shadows on the ridgeline, Where no living man should be, A hundred blackened horsemen, Ridin’ hard and ridin’ free. [Pre-Chorus] Their spurs were throwing embers, Their horses breathed out flame, And from somewhere in that darkness... I swear I heard my name. [Chorus] THE GHOST RIDERS HAVE RETURNED! Hear their horses pound the ground, See the fire across the heavens, Hear that wild and mournful sound. Better pray for your salvation, When that burning herd goes by, ’Cause the Ghost Riders have returned... And they’re ridin’ through the sky! [Verse 3] One rider broke away then, Turned his burning horse my way, His face was worn and hollow, Like a corpse pulled from the clay. He said, “Son, we warned your fathers, But their sons forgot the tale, Now Hell has sent us riding, And we’re back upon your trail.” [Verse 4] He pointed toward the valley, Where my little hometown lay, Said, “Before the morning rises, We’ll be riding through that way. Every liar, thief and killer, Every man who sold his soul, Will hear our horses coming... When the midnight church bells toll.” [Chorus] THE GHOST RIDERS HAVE RETURNED! Hear their horses pound the ground, See the fire across the heavens, Hear that wild and mournful sound. Better pray for your salvation, When that burning herd goes by, ’Cause the Ghost Riders have returned... And they’re ridin’ through the sky! [Instrumental – galloping drums, twanging electric guitar, harmonica] [Bridge – slower, deep voice] Then the rider leaned down toward me, And his burning eyes met mine... “You’ve still got time to change your road, But you’re running out of time.” Then he turned back toward the others, And disappeared into the flame... And from somewhere in the thunder... I heard them call my name. [Final Chorus – bigger] THE GHOST RIDERS HAVE RETURNED! Now the whole damn sky’s on fire, A thousand hooves like thunder, And the flames are climbing higher. So if you see them coming, Don’t just stand and wonder why... When the Ghost Riders come to claim you... There ain’t nowhere left to hide! [Outro – music drops back] Now when darkness hits the badlands, I keep watching that old sky... For burning horses on the ridge... And those riders passing by. [Spoken – extremely low] They're back.... hahahaha