Lyrics

He held her and he kissed her and he whispered so long
He said I don't know just how long I'll be gone
A cattle drive to Reno can go on and on
I'm gonna miss you til I get back home

She wiped off her eyes as he rode out of sight
And then starting counting each long sleepless night
Worried about stampeeds and rattle snake bites
Wondering if he was all right

It's midnight do you know where your cowboy is
Yippy eye ka a, yippy eye ka oh
His out riding herd he'll be gone for so long
Yippy eye ka a ka oh

At the end of the trail after many long days
The doggies were sold and the cowboys were paid
A horse race to Reno was well under way
One night for the cowboys to play

In a bar room in a card game with courage from rye
A cowboy looked a dealer straight dead in the eye
Called him a cheater and invited him outside
Another notch on his gun for the prize

It's midnight do you know where your cowboy is
Yippy eye ka a yippy eye ka oh
He's out riding herd and he soon will be home
Yippy eye ka a ka oh

When the smoke had all cleared and the dust settled down
A cowboy was lying face down on the ground
People in Reno had all gathered round
To see if they knew who he was

It's midnight do you know where your cowboy is
Yippy eye ka a yippy eye ka oh
He's been gone so long will he ever come home
Yippy eye ka a ka oh
Some cowboys they never come home