Don't Fence Me In
Kate Smith · The Columbia Years 1940-1946 [2001]
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
Don't Fence Me In
Kate Smith's rendition of 'Don't Fence Me In' stands as a testament to her commanding vocal presence during the golden age of American popular music. Known for her rich contralto and dramatic delivery, Smith brought a unique gravitas to this Western-themed standard, transforming it into a showcase of her expansive range. The recording captures her ability to navigate both intimate ballads and spirited up-tempo numbers with equal authority. As a staple of her extensive discography, this performance highlights her status as a defining voice of the era, bridging the gap between traditional show tunes and the emerging sounds of the 1940s. Her interpretation remains a cherished example of how a master vocalist can imbue a song with enduring emotional resonance and stylistic flair.