STREETS  OF  LAREDO

Time signature:  3/4
Tempo: ~110  bpm.
Traditional
Accordion Notation
Beats per bar = 3
Beat symbol = Dot ( . ) or equivalent
​Tempo: ~110 bpm
Either row(low):  Buttons 2- 5

Tapping pattern = | B C C |

Verse 1 (of 3)

.5   |   ;5   "4*      .4     |   .4*    .5     .4*    |     .4       .3*   .3   |   .2*   .2 
As       I____  walked     out    on   the       streets   of    La  -  re  -  do,  

.2   |   :3     .3      |    .3*   .4   .4*   |   .4    .3*   .3   |   :3* 
As       I  walked      out   in   La   -   re - do   one   day, 

.5   |    ;5     "4*    .4     |   .4*   .5    .4*   |        .4      .3*    .3      |   .2*   .2   
 I      spied   a   young    cow-boy   all      wrapped   in   white      lin - en,  

 .2   |       .3       .3    .3     |   .3*   .4     .4*    |   .4   .2*   .3*   |    :3    
All     wrapped  in  white      lin - en   and      cold  as   the      clay.   
Embedded youTube VIDEOS
There are many lyrical and musical versions of this song represented in the youTube videos below.  Some correspond to the accordion notation above and the lyrics given later on the page, and some do not.  Some include a chorus with a different notation (and possibly in a different key).    Each is interesting in its own way.
Key:  C

Tempo: ~135 bpm

Accordionist:  Bob  from Australia

Posted by: bertosvids
Key:  D

Tempo:  ~110 bpm

Guitarist:  Chet Atkins

​Posted by:  ukbarton
Key:  F

Tempo: ~100 bpm

Singer:  Marty Robbins

Posted by:  AntFunny57
Key:  C

Tempo: ~115 bpm

Accordionist:  Bob & Hector
                       from Australia

Posted by: bertosvids
Key:  Bb
​
Tempo:  ~130 bpm

Singer:  Johnny Cash  

Posted by: JohnnyCash1Fan1
Key:  C (for verses)
​         Chorus is different.
​
Tempo:  ~95 bpm

Singer:  Willie Nelson   

Posted by: Willie Nelson -Topic
​
Key:  F  (for verses)
​         Chorus is different.

Tempo:  ~105 bpm.

Singer:  Hank Williams Jr.

Posted by: dvdman49
Key:  Eb

Tempo:  ~80 bpm

Singer:  Buck Owens

​Posted by:  smallerhotels
Key:  G

Tempo:  ~150 bpm

Singer:  Burl Ives

​Posted by:  Tim Gracyk

​
Key:  C

Singer:  Tom Parker

Posted by:  Tom Parker
Key:   A

Singer:  Tex Ritter

​Posted by:  John1948TwelveC
Key:  A

Tempo:  ~105 bpm

Singer:  Eddy Arnold 

​Posted by:  Eddy Arnold - Topic
BACKGROUND MATERIALS, INFORMATION & LINKS
​Lyrics:
There are a number of lyrical editions of this cowboy song.  In the first video on our list above, Jimmy Rodgers sings the first four verses of the version below, and repeats the first verse at the end.  In some of our embedded videos, the fifth verse below is sung as a chorus.

As I walked out on the streets of Laredo.
As I walked out in Laredo one day,
I spied a young cowboy all wrapped in white linen,
All wrapped in white linen and cold as the clay.

"I can see by your outfit that you are a cowboy."
These words he did say as I boldly walked by.
"Come sit down beside me an' hear my sad story.
"I'm shot in the breast an' I know I must die."

"It was once in the saddle, I used to go lightly.
Once in the saddle, I used to go gay,
First down to Rosie's and then to the card-house,
But I'm shot in the breast and I'm dying today."

"Give me sixteen gamblers to carry my coffin.
Six pretty maidens to sing me a song.
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."

"Oh bang the drum slowly and play the fife lowly,
Play the dead march as you carry me along,
Put bunches of roses all over my coffin,
Roses to deaden the clods as they fall."
​
Background Link:
Click HERE for additional info about this song.