About the song
“The Streets of Laredo,” performed by the iconic Marty Robbins, is a song that transports listeners to the bygone era of the Old West. Marty Robbins, a luminary in the world of country and Western music, recorded this classic ballad for his 1959 album, “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.” The album itself is a cornerstone of Western music, renowned for its storytelling and vivid imagery, and “The Streets of Laredo” is one of its standout tracks.
This traditional cowboy ballad, also known as “The Cowboy’s Lament,” has roots that trace back to British folk songs. It was adapted and brought to America, where it evolved into the version that Robbins so poignantly delivers. The song’s origins are somewhat nebulous, with various versions and adaptations existing over the years, but Robbins’ rendition is perhaps one of the most evocative and memorable.
“The Streets of Laredo” tells the mournful tale of a dying cowboy who recounts his life’s final moments to a passerby. With its haunting melody and somber lyrics, the song captures the loneliness and harsh realities of life in the West. Robbins’ deep, resonant voice imbues the song with a sense of authenticity and gravitas, making it a compelling listen.
The album “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs” was a significant success for Marty Robbins, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart and eventually earning a Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording. The album’s enduring popularity is a testament to Robbins’ skill as a storyteller and his ability to breathe new life into traditional songs.
While “The Streets of Laredo” itself didn’t achieve the same level of commercial success as some of Robbins’ other hits, such as “El Paso,” it remains a beloved piece of his repertoire. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, but Robbins’ version is often regarded as definitive due to his emotive interpretation and the high production quality of the album.
Listening to “The Streets of Laredo” is akin to stepping into a time machine and traveling back to the days of cowboys and frontier towns. Marty Robbins’ ability to convey the pathos and stark beauty of the Old West through his music has made this song a timeless classic, cherished by fans of country and Western music across generations.
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Lyrics
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I saw a young cowboy, wrapped all in white linen
Wrapped in white linen, as cold as the clay
Oh, beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
Sing the Death March as you carry me along
Take me to the valley, there lay the sod o’er me
I’m a young cowboy, I know I’ve done wrong
I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy
These words he did say as I boldly walked by
Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story
Got shot in the breast and I know I must die
Go fetch me some water, a cool cup of water
To cool my parched lips, then the poor cowboy said
Before I returned, his spirit had left him
Had gone to his Maker, the cowboy was dead
Oh, beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly
Sing the Death March as you carry me along
Take me to the valley, there lay the sod o’er me
I’m a young cowboy, I know I’ve done wrong