Released in 1979, album called Silver by Johnny Cash. The painting is called “The wild hunt: Åsgårdsreien” from 1872 by Peter Nicolai Arbo.
This song was written by Stan Jones on 5 May 1948. It was originally recorded by Burl Ives on 17 February 1949.
An old cowboy went riding out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw
A-plowing through the ragged sky and up the cloudy draw
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
For he saw the Riders coming hard and he heard their mournful cry
Yippie yi ooohhh
Yippie yi yaaaay
Ghost Riders in the sky
Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat
He’s riding hard to catch that herd, but he ain’t caught ‘em yet
‘Cause they’ve got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snorting fire
As they ride on hear their cry
As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his name
If you want to save your soul from Hell a-riding on our range
Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride
Trying to catch the Devil’s herd, across these endless skies
Yippie yi yaaaay
Yippie yi ohhhhh
Ghost Riders in the sky
Ghost Riders in the sky
Ghost Riders in the sky