Tex Ritter - Streets of Laredo

Singing cowboy Tex Ritter stood as one of the biggest names in country music throughout the postwar era, thanks to a diverse career that led him everywhere from the Broadway stage to the political arena. He was born Maurice Woodward Ritter in Marvaul, TX, on January 12, 1907, and grew up on a ranch in Beaumont. After graduating at the top of his high school class, he majored in law at the University of Texas. During college, however, he was bitten by the acting bug and moved to New York in 1928 to join a theatrical troupe. After a few years of struggle, he briefly returned to school, only to leave again to pursue stardom. Ritter was playing cowboy songs on the radio when he returned to New York in 1931 to act in the Broadway production Green Grow the Lilacs; during scene changes, he also performed on his guitar. Thanks to his success on the stage, he began hosting radio programs like Tex Ritter's Campfire and Cowboy Tom's Roundup before entering the studio with producer Art Satherley in 1933, where his deep, lived-in voice graced songs like "Rye Whiskey." He caught the attention of Hollywood producer Edward Finney, who was searching for a cowboy singer in the mold of the highly successful Gene Autry and was tapped to star in the 1936 Western Song of the Gringo. Over the next two years, Ritter starred in a dozen films, including 1937's Trouble in Texas (co-starring a young Rita Hayworth), before Finney's studio, Grand National Pictures, folded. Ritter then switched to Monogram Studios, for whom he made some 20 Westerns, including 1940's Take Me Back to Oklahoma with co-star Bob Wills; work at Columbia and Universal followed, and by the time of his movie swan song, 1945's The Texas Rangers, he had appeared in a total of 85 films. As Ritter's Hollywood career went into decline, his music career began to blossom, and in 1942, he became the first country artist signed to Capitol Records, where he recorded everything from traditional folk tunes to patriotic material to sentimental songs. In 1944, Tex Ritter & His Texans topped the charts with the single "I'm Wastin' My Tears on You." The record's flip side, "There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder," peaked at number two, as did the follow-up "Jealous Heart." 1945's "You Two-Timed Me One Time Too Often" proved to be Ritter's greatest success, holding at number one for 11 consecutive weeks. Among his other successes in the 1940s were 1945's number one "You Will Have to Pay," 1948's "Rock and Rye," and 1950's "Daddy's Last Letter (Private First Class John H. McCormick)," based on the actual correspondence of a soldier slain during the Korean War. Ritter recorded the theme to the Fred Zinneman classic High Noon in 1953, and the resulting single proved extremely successful with pop audiences, helping win him the job as the MC of the television program Town Hall Party, which he hosted between 1953 and 1960. In 1958, he issued his first full-length LP, Songs From the Western Screen, followed the next year by Psalms. After leaving Town Hall Party, he released the LP Blood on the Saddle, a dark collection of cowboy narrative songs, and in 1961, he returned to the country charts after an 11-year absence with the Top Five hit "I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven." In 1963 Ritter began a two-year tenure as the president of the Country Music Association, and in 1965 he moved to Nashville to join the Grand Ole Opry. After an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1970, Ritter died of a heart attack on January 2, 1974; his son John Ritter carried on the family name as a popular actor in TV sitcoms like Three's Company and Hooperman. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads among multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948's oldies classics. LINK: john1948.wikifo...

[@paulsvid]

As a kid I used ti listen to this with my dad who sadly passed away at a very young age Every time I hear this song it brings back so many good memories of my dad

[@azzopardijohn2711]

Pauls Vids grieving a loss of a patient no matter how good or complicated the relationship takes a life time. It sounds as if your pointed in the right direction. My condolences.

[@thomasritter3159]

Lost my dad when I was 14. He was already 62. He and Tax actually sang together or on the same radio show for a short time. Dad said he gave it up when he married -- saying he needed a real job.

[@trinidadapodaca7027]

cool, pats ur back. be strong brother we'l all meet on the other side

[@lpmoron6258]

I will take anything that makes me think of my Dad.

[@almanaylor2586]

Met Tex Ritter one night at our local resturant, got his autograph, was so great to meet him. I still have that autograph on a napkin.

[@axeman4071]

High Noon was one of my favorites. He sang it perfect.

[@johnjurkewicz9925]

I love listening to Great songs like is and I love it

[@overcamehim]

The first sad song I remember hearing on the radio. Beat the drum slowly, throw the sod oer me.

[@ernestwilliams268]

I was born in 1939 and remember this song in movies.

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

My dad's name is Ernest. He was born in 1934

[@ernestwilliams268]

@@MeadeSkeltonMusic It is an old name used by a lot of different country's ERNESTO-ERNST-EARNEST

[@Y3MINEM]

God bless you

[@davidchriscastillo2499]

Wish I could have been cowboy & lived during 19th century & ben part of Old West!

[@George50809]

But is was a hard life....

[@PaulZink]

No you don't, really.

[@alanhq1778]

Good mass.

[@matthewe.johnson244]

8 57. I find reference

[@kathybrooks452]

He was John Ritters daddy

[@garyhenry682]

TEX RITTER CAME TO SEE ME WHEN I WORKED IN WESTERN WEAR STORES n more

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

This is the "Western" part of Country and Western!

[@dianefiske-foy4717]

I didn’t know Tex Ritter was an actor. Cool 👩🏻‍🏫👏🏻🥰‼️ I love cowboy (Western movies/TV Shows). I knew he was a singer and actor John Ritter’s father and that’s all.

[@dianaa.1735]

Beautiful version. Tex Ritter had a 1 of a kind voice.

[@Izk68]

Man I love this! First version I heard was Marty Robbins, who sings it superbly, next was Johnny (also great), then Burl Ives (also great, in a different way), but then this one really struck me. It's that deep resonant way Tex sings it. I like to sing, and trying to emulate Tex's style isn't easy, but it feels good, like a "warm vibratey feeling all through my gutty works" ("Clockwork Orange" movie quote). The only thing comparable would be "Sixteen Tons", by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Deep and powerful, and dripping with style and attitude. Awesome!

[@mybingobrain]

Tennessee Stud

[@gnr4954]

Personally I think Eddy Arnolds version from the Cattle Call album is the best

[@rogerkline1064]

I still like Marty's version

[@lennybuttz2162]

I love this song, there must be a 100 versions of it. I've hardly ever heard it sung with the same words.

[@tonyhemingway7980]

That's the way it is with old cowboy songs. Originally, the cowboys sang to the cattle and just threw in whatever words happened to come in mind. Later the movie cowboys did the same thing when they recorded them. It's the same with folk and mountain music.

[@sheilafletcher8124]

The late,great Jim Reeves does a lovely version too.

[@lennybuttz2162]

@@sheilafletcher8124 Everything Jim Reeves does is great. He's one of my favorites although I don't think I ever heard his version of this song. I'll have to look it up.

[@angelinemhurudzekunze8130]

I've just looked up Reeves' version, it's a slower version but I can promise you you'll love it

[@kelyball]

Probably my favorite cowboy singer. Loved him and his son.

[@warrenbankston4622]

One of my favorites !! I’m 74

[@donaldsettles9465]

I got all his Album.'s, I Love all his songs. He is the only one that could sing them, and sing them right.

[@MyMy-zi7yv]

He is for sure without doubt Johnny Cash, before Johnny Cash. I'd bet a million Cash was inspired by his singing by this man!!!!

[@laceydia131]

I was thinking the same

[@clintwalls5217]

Miss you Tex!!! Miss you John!! Ritter..You both mean alot to me!👍🌹🌹🥂

[@hilariosolis3206]

Only an old Texas cowboy can do this song justice.thrre will never be another Tex Ritter.

[@abcrane]

yes there is! he's a veteran who survived a helicopter crash working for NASA and I'm honored to know him!

[@mackdog832]

Hilario Solis agree!!!

[@thomasritter3159]

I would have to agree pilgrim.

[@clintwalls5217]

@@abcrane Tex!!!👋💯

[@MartinaM.Maestas]

Ohhhhhhh, "outfit":. Definition, the Cowboy Cattle Wranglers and Herders. Ohhhh, too, Cowboy Outfit:. Definition, Cowboy Hat, Bandana, Boots, Jeans Cowboy Shirt. 😉😶😎🤕🤠

[@elmerlarimer9026]

R I P

[@susanritter2520]

Tex Ritter is my first cousin, several generations removed. When I was young, my schoolmates called me “Tex” and one that I still know, now in our 70s, still calls me Tex to this day. “The Streets of Laredo” is derived from the traditional English folk song, “The Unfortunate Rake,” as is the blues song “St. James Infirmary.” Fascinating how traditional songs change over time and place.

[@drsackbarry]

Sun Set That sun still sets in the west But that old trail is asphalt now Baked by the sun hot and dry The sounds of hoofs have passed Herds of buffalo graze no more Barbwire strung along The fence post passed like a picket fence As the truck tires whine on The sweetgrass has all but gone The mesquite is tall and thick Prickly Pear covers the prairie The Longhorns have gone A saddle all covered in dust The moth-riddled blanket flaps Riding quirt amiss Old spurs hung on a wall On a post hangs a leather belt With a holster cracked and rotting That old hogleg turned brown Brass all green The lassoing cowboy is no more That broad hat tipped back His shirt sleeves rolled high Jeans rolled double His hair thinned and gray High cheekbones darken Bull hide tough Hand scars a many With eyes squinting A straw chair leaned back Daydreaming No more round ups That last ride was long ago With a rolled cigarette on his lip His words in a low key That sun still sets in the west Barry 4/3/2023

[@justjay926]

i learned this as a child in smoky London. Still sing it. 🤠🎼🎶🎶❤

[@susanritter2520]

It is derived from the English folk song, “The Unfortunate Rake,” or “The Unfortunate Lad,” as is “St. James Infirmary Blues.”

[@lopezmt5]

As I walked out in the streets of Laredo, As I walked out in Laredo one day, I spied a young cowboy wrapped up 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 boldly stepped by. "Come sit down beside me, hear my sad story; Got shot in the breast and I know I must die!" "Oh beat the drums slowly, play the fife lowly; Play the Death March as you carry me along. Take me to the green valley, throw 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 got to drinking, then to card playing, Got shot in the breast and you see where I lay." "Go bring me a cup, a cup of cold water To cool my parched lips with,” the cowboy then said. Before I got to him, the spirit had left him And gone to it’s Maker, the cowboy was dead. We beat the drum slowly, played the fife lowly, And bitterly wept as we bore him along. For we all loved our comrade, so brave, and so handsome, We loved our young cowboy although he'd done wrong.

[@GumbootZone]

The song first appeared in 1910 and it's believed to have descended from an Irish folk song of the late 18th century called "The Unfortunate Rake" As I was a walking down by the “Lock”, As I was walking one morning of late, Who did I spy but my own dear comrade, Wrapp'd in flannel, so hard is his fate. Chorus. Had she but told me when she disordered me, Had she but told me of it at the time, I might have got salts and pills of white mercury, But now I'm cut down in the height of my prime. I boldly stepped up to him and kindly did ask him, Why he was wrapp'd in flannel so white? My body is injured and sadly disordered, All by a young woman, my own heart's delight. My father oft told me, and of[ten] times chided me, And said my wicked ways would never do, But I never minded him, nor ever heeded him, [I] always kept up in my wicked ways. Get six jolly fellows to carry my coffin, And six pretty maidens to bear up my pall, And give to each of them bunches of roses, That they may not smell me as they go along. [Over my coffin put handsful of lavender, Handsful of lavender on every side, Bunches of roses all over my coffin, Saying there goes a young man cut down in his prime.] Muffle your drums, play your pipes merrily, Play the death [dead] march as you go along. And fire your guns right over my coffin, There goes an unfortunate lad to his home.

[@rph111745]

The "Lock" refers to a :Lock Hospital, that were for the treatment of general disease.

[@deescott3856]

Watching Reelz the life of John Ritter and it showed this is his father.

[@frankiebowie6174]

Takes a lot to beat Marty Robbins but by golly he did it.

[@elmerlarimer9026]

RIP TEX

[@michelbonjean9849]

One of my favourite songs,it's reminds me when Mr Harry Carey Jr sang it in John Ford's Three Godfathers movie.Marty Robbins and also country music singers sang it. It's a thrilling song. One of the best. God bless y'all and jeep it Country

[@michelbonjean9849]

Keep it,sorry .

[@theFatherRaven56]

YeeHaw to the cowboys of the past

[@glennjohnson8170]

Glenn Johnson Loved the old westerns and singers since growing up in the 50`s.Was in Fort Worth for the first time back in 2017 on a Phil Mack TV tour and it was just awesome.lifetime dream came true.Absolutely brilliant and many thanks for this upload.

[@ronnyrono782]

Part of the Great generation. Gone

[@albwilso9]

What a song!!! Tex Ritter was the greatest!

[@damiens6465]

This song is so beautiful

[@margaretsproule7256]

Text had the perfect voice for the hard-bitten western songs.

[@benjaminperez6620]

The best example of the white linen wrap is the Movie The Missouri breaks. Great Marlon Brando movie

[@DrStephenStrange]

I love Tex Ritter. Growing up, I used to play the very album you have pictured all the time. I grew up loving Cowboy music and still do. Thank you for posting!

[@michaelsievers8476]

Same on the ranch we had like 5 albums in the early 60s..and this was one of them...reminds me of a simpler time...miss my ol pops...

[@alansouzacruz970]

Old school country 🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@donadunsmore6283]

My family had this album and my brother and I played it all the time. I blame Tex Ritter for my practically bass singing voice.

[@debbiebrahm4398]

deck of cards

[@jamescorvus8231]

John Ritter DAD

[@TolKOZAK]

We love our young cowboys. Well done, Tex.

[@richardobrien9538]

I love this song. I have sung it many times.. mostly at sad occasions. There are many versions of the lyrics, but this is the earliest version I've heard and the words are grittier. Did Text write this song? I would love to know the origins.

[@SimpLeeBeth]

Roses to deaden the clods as they fall ❤️❤️❤️😭😭😭

[@barbarahagofsky1191]

He had a great voice!

[@kattrakee]

😢😭😔

[@stevenslater2669]

I like this version. Wasn't a big Tex Ritter fan as a little kid, but I remember some of his movies. I don't know which movie this film clip accompanying the song is from but the gunfight scene indicates the actors actually knew how to shoot handguns. Watch an episode of "Have Gun Will Travel" and you see Paladin 'throwing the bullets" - from draw thru fire his gun never stops moving! He could even miss the broad side of a barn that way.

[@rosedrop4959]

1 of my favourites

[@phillipwinning2935]

Different to wat Marty sings

[@clintwalls9429]

Ole Tex !!

[@SolarisMaximus-jj8ow]

And this one goes out to Ja Morant and his family...

[@madhatter9807]

Whose the original artist

[@johncape7992]

It's an old folk song. It's been around well over a 100 years. That's one of the reasons why there are so many versions of the lyrics

[@LDLutes-tu4yo]

Think ritter ever really rode range or worked a rope? No....stop watching it amd live it

[@justenwilliams8379]

Till 1:10

[@TheSaltydog07]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@garryburrows8987]

quality

[@religiondoctor5198]

Great song if u wana go nuts

[@bombachawoman]

religion doctor I think you’re right. I’m only here bc it was mentioned and mocked in Rocketman movie.

[@geoxys4243]

No ge