The Fife and Drum and... Cowboys?

Here is an old Cowboy ballad that originates in a British folk song of the late 18th century called "The Unfortunate Rake". Because of its origins, it mixed fife and drum with cowboys. 

The Streets of Laredo

As I walked out in the streets of Laredo

As I walked out in Laredo one day,

I spied a young cowboy, all wrapped in white linen

Wrapped up in white linen and cold as the clay.

"I see by your outfit, that you are a cowboy."

These words he did say as I slowly walked by.

"Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story,

For I'm shot in the chest, and today I must die."

Chorus: "Oh, beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly,

And play the dead march as you carry me along;

Take me to the valley, and lay the sod o'er me,

For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong."

"'Twas once in the saddle I used to go dashing,

'Twas once in the saddle I used to go gay.

First down to Rosie's, and then to the card-house,

Got shot in the breast, and I'm dying today."

 Chorus

"Go bring me a cup, a cup of cold water.

To cool my parched lips", the cowboy then said.

Before I returned, his soul had departed,

And gone to the round up - the cowboy was dead.

 Chorus

-Peter Bringe

 Memor!