Don’t Fence Me In (1944)
1-18
(wm) Cole Porter (I) Film: Hollywood Canteen by Roy Rogers & the Sons of the Pioneers and reprised by The Andrews Sisters. (P) Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters No. 1 Chart Record. (CR) Kate Smith (CR) Ella Fitzgerald
Verse: 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:

Chorus: 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 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 until I lose my senses.
Can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences,
Don’t fence me in.
[Repeat from the bridge and then add:]
 Poppa don’t you fence me in

Verse: 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: