Odin’s Hunt Vs. Ghost Riders in the Sky

About the time I was researching the Wild Hunt, I ran into Thomas Mac’s prequel to “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” It struck me that the original song and Odin’s Hunt were similar. I wondered if “Ghost Riders in the Sky” was a rancher’s version of the Wild Hunt legend.

The Wild Hunt in Europe

The Wild Hunt legend exists in much of Europe. The Scandinavians call it “Oskoreia,” meaning “Terrifying Ride,” or “Odensjakt,” meaning “Odin’s Hunt.” The Germans called it “Wuotanes Her,” meaning “Odin’s Army,” but now refer to it as “Wütende Heer,” meaning “Furious Army,” or the Wild Hunt. The basic story is that some known figure, like Odin or some local god, leads the Wild Hunt at night, in the dead of winter. The hunters may be hunting enchanted game, magical maidens, or others to join their hunt.

Odin’s Hunt

In Norse Mythology, Odin’s Hunt is never seen. A deathly quiet fills the air, after which Odin’s dogs bay loud and long. The hunters may be elves, Valkyries, or fairies, and the event’s arrival portends war or a change in the seasons. Odin’s Hunt is part of the terror of the winter season, according to Dr. Jackson Crawford.

Ghost Riders in the Sky

“Ghost Riders in the Sky” is a popular folk/country song. Everyone from Johnny Cash and Gene Autry to Willie Nelson have covered it. Stan Jones, an American songwriter and TV actor wrote the song in 1948. Vaughn Monroe released the most successful version in 1949. The song is about a cowpoke or cowboy, who sees the ghost riders chasing a ghost herd of cattle.

Riders in the Sky Lyrics

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 ploughing through the ragged skies

And up a cloudy draw.

Their brands were still on fire, and their hooves was 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 comin’ hard,

And he heard their mournful cry.

Yippee-yi-o, yippee-yi-yay,

Ghost riders in the sky.

Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat,

They’re ridin’ hard to catch that herd but they ain’t caught them yet

‘Cause they’ve got to ride forever on that range up in the sky,

On horses snortin’ 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

A-trying to catch the devil’s herd

Across these endless skies.”

Yippee-yi-o, yippee-yi-yay,

Ghost riders in the sky.

Odin’s Hunt Vs. Ghost Riders

Clearly, the history of Odin’s Hunt goes back centuries. It was passed down from generation to generation long before “Ghost Riders in the Sky” was ever conceived. The question remains: Is the song a ranching version of the Wild Hunt?

Stan Jones’ Inspriation

Stan Jones stated that when he was 12 years old, a Native American told him the story of the ghost riders. The souls of the Native American tribe would become spirits in the sky, resembling the ghost riders. Jones took that as his inspiration. If we are to take Jones at his word, it would appear that “Ghost Riders in the Sky” is not a ranching version of Odin’s Hunt. Let us know what you think in the comments.

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