Wildcat Kelly, lookin' mighty pale,
Was standing by the sheriff's side;
And when that sheriff said
"I'm sending you to jail,"
Wildcat 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 wild open
Country that I love,
Don't fence me in.
Let me be by myself in the evening breeze-
Listen to the murmer 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 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 till 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 sitting by his sweetheart's side,
And when his sweetheart said:
"Come on, let's settle down,"
Wildcat raised his head and cried:

(chorus)


Note: - Cayuse "A term ascribed to any
horse of little value."
- hobble "A rope or strap used to fetter
(handcuff) the forelegs of an animal."
Words & Music: Cole Porter
Copyright: 1944 Warner Bros. Inc.
Source: "For a Cowboy Has To Sing" 1991
University of Central Florida Press
Transcribed: Dil