[Verse 1]
He rode out at dawn
Gray coat in the rain
Blue smoke in the valley
And red on the plain
A ball rang out sharp
He fell from the seat
His hat in the mud
His boots in retreat
[Pre-Chorus]
The rider was gone
Before he could call
The saddle stayed warm
Then the warmth let fall
Only the reins
And a buckle of tin
The horse heard the silence
And moved again
[Chorus]
Empty saddle
Empty saddle
He don't ride back home
Empty saddle
Empty saddle
The stallion rides on
[Verse 2]
They said he was slain
On a cold field of steel
A name on a paper
A wound that won't heal
But his black horse kept pace
Through the smoke and the din
Its mane full of ash
And the dusk closing in
[Pre-Chorus]
It shook off the screams
It shook off the mud
It crossed through the thunder
It crossed through the blood
No hand on the bridle
No voice in the wind
Still the faithful old horse
Would not give in
[Chorus]
Empty saddle
Empty saddle
He don't ride back home
Empty saddle
Empty saddle
The stallion rides on
[Bridge]
At night by the camp
When the fire burned low
Some swore they could hear
A lone hoof go
Far over the hill
Where the cold stars shine
Like the man and his horse
Were both still alive
[Final Chorus]
Empty saddle
Empty saddle
He don't ride back home
Empty saddle
Empty saddle
The stallion rides on
Empty saddle
Empty saddle
A hero's dust is gone
Empty saddle
Empty saddle
But the stallion rides on