A popular western song written in 1934.
Used in the 1944 film “Hollywood Canteen”.
words and music by Cole Porter
The sheet music:
Accompaniment track:
Lyrics
- Wild Cat Kelly, looking mighty pale
Was standing by the sheriff’s side
And when that sheriff said, “I’m sending you to jail”
Wild Cat raised his head and cried
Refrain:
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above
Don’t fence me in
Let me ride thru 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 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
Can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences
Don’t fence me in
- Wild Cat Kelly, back again in town
Was sitting by his sweetheart’s side
And when his sweetheart said, “Come on, let’s settle down”
Wild Cat raised his head and cried
Sung here by Fred Feild: