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Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters – Don’t Fence Me In

File:Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

About the Song

Yeehaw! Buckle up for a ride through the Wild West with a touch of close harmony courtesy of Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters’ “Don’t Fence Me In.” This iconic song, released in 1944, is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a celebration of freedom, wide-open spaces, and the untamed spirit of the American cowboy.

“Don’t Fence Me In” wasn’t written for Crosby and the Andrews Sisters specifically. In fact, they recorded it without ever hearing the song beforehand! But their rendition became an instant classic, topping the charts and capturing the hearts of a nation. There’s a magic to their performance, a blend of Crosby’s smooth vocals and the Andrews Sisters’ signature harmonies, that perfectly captures the yearning for freedom expressed in the lyrics.

The song’s message is clear and simple: let me roam free. The lyrics, penned by Cole Porter (though significantly reworked for this version), paint a vivid picture of wide-open plains, starry skies, and the whisper of the cottonwood trees. Crosby’s voice embodies the cowboy’s easy confidence, while the Andrews Sisters chime in with a touch of playful counterpoint, urging him on to explore the vast unknown.

“Don’t Fence Me In” isn’t just about cowboys and cattle drives, though. It’s a broader metaphor for the human spirit’s desire for independence and adventure. The song resonates with anyone who’s ever felt cooped up or restricted, yearning to break free and explore the world.

The enduring popularity of “Don’t Fence Me In” is a testament to its universal appeal. It’s a song that transcends generations and musical styles. Whether you’re a fan of classic crooners or toe-tapping swing music, there’s something undeniably charming about Crosby and the Andrews Sisters’ rendition. It’s a song that makes you want to saddle up, throw your cares to the wind, and just…well, wander over yonder.A Merry Christmas with Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters

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Lyrics: 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 country that I love
Don’t fence me inLet 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
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
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

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
And I can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences
Don’t fence me in, no
Pop, oh don’t you fence me in

 

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