DON'T FENCE ME IN
Originally written for the unproduced film "Adios Argentina" (1934)
From the film "Hollywood Canteen" (1944)
(Robert Fletcher / Cole Porter)
Roy Rogers - 1944
Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters - 1944
Frank Sinatra - 1944
Sammy Kaye - 1945
Kate Smith - 1945
Horace Heidt & His Orch. (vocals: Gene Walsh & The Sweetswingsters) - 1945
Gene Autry - 1945
Louis Armstrong - 1948
Ella Fitzgerald - 1956
Mitch Miller - 1958
Dick Curless - 1959
Ray Conniff Singers - 1961
Dave Dudley - 1968
Grady Tate - 1968
Riders In The Sky - 1977
Mary McCashlin -1977
Willie Nelson & Leon Russell - 1979
Rosemary Clooney - 1990
David Byrne - 1991
Lorrie Morgan & Roy Rogers - 1991
Lynn Anderson - 1992
Susan McCorkle - 1994
Tom Morrell & The Time Warp Tophands - 1995
Lari White - 1996
Harry Connick Jr - 1997
Cowboy Envy - 1999
Paula West - 1999
Holly Cole Trio - 2000
Rim Rock Ramblers - 2000
Gary Nichols - 2000
Courtney Day - 2002
Todd Murray - 2002
Asleep At The Wheel - 2003
Also recorded by: Frankie Laine; Moe Bandy, Dean Martin; Tommy Edwards; Mildred Bailey;
Boston Pops; Buck Howdy; Steve Goodman; Vaughan Monroe; Acker Bilk; Sons Of The Pioneers;
Chas & Dave; Nickel Creek; Dinah Shore; Pete Seeger; Sydney Devine; Jim Owen.
Wildcat Kelly, lookin' mighty pale
Was standin' by the Sherriff's side
And when that Sherriff said, "I'm sending you to jail"
Wildcat raised his head and cried
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
Wilcat Kelly, back in town again
Was standin' by his Sweetheart's side
And when his Sweetheart said, "Come on, let's settle down"
Wildcat raised his head and cried
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my Cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
*****
ALTERNATE VERSION:
Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters
Bing Crosby: Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Andrews Sisters: Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
BC: I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
AS: Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
AS: Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies, Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo_Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo
BC: On my Cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
All: Ba-Boo-Ba-Ba-Bo
ALL: I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
AS: No-oh
All: Poppa, don't you fence me in
*****
ALTERNATE VERSION:
Frankie Laine
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I wanna ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open spaces that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I wanna ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
So don't fence me in
Oh no
Poppa don't you fence me in
Oh yeah
*****
ALTERNATE VERSION:
The Ray Conniff Singers
Wildcat Kelly, lookin' kind of pale
Was standing by the sheriff's side
And when the sheriff said, "I'm sending you to jail"
Wildcat raised his head and cried:
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evening breeze
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever, but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn him loose, let him straddle in his saddle
Underneath the western skies
(That's right)
(No ties)
On his cayuse, let him wander over yonder
Till he sees the mountains rise
(And what a sight)
(Up in the skies)
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
Gaze at the moon until I lose my senses
Can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
Wildcat Kelly, back again in town
Was sittin' by his sweetheart's side
And when his sweetheart said, "Come on, let's settle down",
Wildcat raised his head and cried:
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evening breeze
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever, but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Oh, don't
(Tall in the saddle)
Fence
(He's herdin' cattle)
Me in
Wildcat Kelly, we never seen him round
(Don't fence me in)
Wildcat Kelly, he never comes to town
(Don't fence me in)
Wildcat Kelly, he never settled down
(Don't fence me in)
Wildcat Kelly on the prairie
*****
ALTERNATE VERSION:
Sons Of The Pioneers
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
Listenin' to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
Gaze at the moon until I lose my senses
Can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
Gaze at the moon until I lose my senses
Can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
Don't fence me in
Don't fence me in
*****
ALTERNATE VERSION:
Louis Armstrong
Well, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
But don't fence me in
Let me ride through that wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever, but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
Gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
I don't like hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
Gaze at that ole moon until I lose my senses
I can't stand them hobbles and I don't care for fences
Don't fence me in
Oh no...don't you fence me in
*****
ALTERNATE VERSION:
Holly Cole
Ah, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Just let me be by myself in the evening breeze
I'll listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Oh, don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath those western skies, oh yeah
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridges where the west commences
Gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Oh don't, don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridges where the west commences
I'll gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Oh, don't fence me in, ahhhh
Oh, don't fence me in, yeah
Ah don't, don't fence me in, ahhhh
Oh don't, oh don't fence me in now
Don't fence me in
Don't fence me in
Don't fence me in
*****
ALTERNATE VERSION:
Sammy Kaye
Wildcat Kelly, looking kind of pale
Was standing at the Sheriff's side
And when the Sheriff said "I am sending you to jail"
Wildcat threw back his head and cried
Just give me land, lots of land, under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breezes
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood treezes
Send me off forever, and I'll ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my ol' saddle
Underneath a western sky
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the West commences
Gaze at the moon 'til I lose my senses
Can't handle hobbles, and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
Wildcat Kelly back in town again
Was standing at his sweethearts side,
And when his sweetheart said, "C'mon, let's stop and settle down"
Wildcat threw back his head and cried
Just give me land, lots of land, under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breezes
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood treezes
Send me off forever and I'll ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my ol' saddle
Underneath a western sky
On my cayuse. let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the West commences
Gaze at the moon 'til I lose my senses
Can't handle hobbles, and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
Don't fence me in
I said a-don't fence me in
*****
ALTERNATE VERSION:
Harry Connick Jr.
Wildcat Kelly, lookin' mighty pale
Was standin' by the Sherriff's side
And when that Sherriff said, "I'm sending you to jail"
Wilscat raised his head and cried
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
Gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
I can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the west c-c-commences
Gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
I can't stand hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in, don't fence me in
Wildcat Kelly, back again in town
Was sittin' by his Sweetheart's side
When his Sweetheart said, "C'mon, let's settle down"
Wildcat raised his head and cried
Don't fence me in
Don't fence me in
Don't fence me in
Don't fence me in
******
ALTERNATE VERSION:
Mitch Miller
Oh, give me land, lots o' land under starry skies above
Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I wanna ride to the ridge where the west commences
Gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
Can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I wanna ride to the ridge where the west commences
Gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
Can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
Don't fence me in
Don't fence me in
*****
ALTERNATE VERSION:
David Byrne
Oh, give me land, lots of land, under starry skies above
Don`t fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don`t fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evening breeze
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever, but I ask you please
Don`t fence me in, don`t fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
Gaze at the moon until I loose my senses
I can`t look at hobbles and I can`t stand fences
Don`t fence me in, don`t fence me in
Give me land, lots of land, under starry skies above
Don`t fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don`t fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evening breeze
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever, but I ask you please
Don`t fence me in, don`t fence me in
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
Gaze at the moon until I loose my senses
I Can`t look at hobbles and I can`t stand fences
Don`t fence me in
Don`t fence me in
Don`t fence me in
Don`t fence me in
Don`t fence me in
Don`t fence me in
Don`t fence me in
Don`t fence me in
Don`t fence me in
Don`t fence me in
*****
(Transcriptions by Mel Priddle - December 2003)
