Any Place I Hang My Hat
Dinah Shore Lyrics


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Free and easy, that's my style
Howdy-do me, watch me smile
Fare-thee-well me after a while
'Cause I gotta roam
And any place I hang my hat is home

Sweetenin' water, cherry wine
Thank you kindly, suits me fine
Kansas City, Caroline
That's my honeycomb
'Cause any place I hang my hat is home

Birds roostin' in a tree
Pick up and go, and the goin' proves
That's how it oughta be
I pick up too when the spirit moves me
(I go where it behoves me)
Cross the river, 'round the bend
"Hello stranger!", "So long friend!"
There's a voice in the lonesome wind
That keeps whisp'ring, "Roam!"
I'm going where a welcome mat is




No matter where that is
'Cause any place I hang my hat is home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of this song embody the adventurous and free spirit of the singer who does not like to be tied down to a particular place for too long. The opening lines "Free and easy, that's my style, Howdy-do me, watch me smile, Fare-thee-well me after a while, 'Cause I gotta roam" set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is carefree and wants to keep moving to satisfy their wanderlust.


The lyrics "Sweetenin' water, cherry wine, Thank you kindly, suits me fine, Kansas City, Caroline, That's my honeycomb" suggest that the singer enjoys the simple pleasures of life and is satisfied with wherever they find themselves in. It's not about the place but rather the experiences that come with it. The lyrics "Birds roostin' in a tree, Pick up and go, and the goin' proves, That's how it oughta be, I pick up too when the spirit moves me" celebrate the idea of following one's intuition and not being afraid of change.


The lyrics "Cross the river, 'round the bend, "Hello stranger!", "So long friend!", There's a voice in the lonesome wind, That keeps whisp'ring, "Roam!" highlight the fact that the singer does not have any set destinations in mind. They are happy to go wherever the wind takes them. The final lines "I'm going where the welcome mat is, No matter where that is, 'Cause any place I hang my hat is home" suggest that the singer is not afraid of the unknown and will make the most of wherever they find themselves in. Home is not about the physical location but rather the sense of belonging one feels.


Line by Line Meaning

Free and easy, that's my style
I live a carefree and uncomplicated life


Howdy-do me, watch me smile
I greet people with a warm and friendly demeanor


Fare-thee-well me after a while
Say goodbye to me when I leave


'Cause I gotta roam
Because I have a need to travel


And any place I hang my hat is home
I can make myself comfortable anywhere I go


Sweetenin' water, cherry wine
I enjoy simple, humble pleasures


Thank you kindly, suits me fine
I appreciate every little thing


Kansas City, Caroline
I enjoy different places, both big and small


That's my honeycomb
These places are like sweet, familiar homes to me


Birds roostin' in a tree
Birds find comfort anywhere they can perch


Pick up and go, and the goin' proves
Traveling can be a rewarding experience


That's how it oughta be
Life is meant to be lived by exploring and experiencing


I pick up too when the spirit moves me
I am open to adventure and willing to follow my passions


(I go where it behoves me)
I follow wherever my heart takes me


Cross the river, 'round the bend
I am open to going anywhere, no matter how far or remote


"Hello stranger!", "So long friend!"
I make connections with people wherever I go, even if they are brief


There's a voice in the lonesome wind
There is a sense of anticipation and wonder in the unknown


That keeps whisp'ring, "Roam!"
I am called to move and explore


I'm going where a welcome mat is
I will follow where I am accepted and appreciated


No matter where that is
I am not tied down to any one place


'Cause any place I hang my hat is home
I am comfortable and happy wherever I go




Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, JOHNNY MERCER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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