... Throughout the 1950s, Laine enjoyed a second career singing the title songs of Hollywood films and television shows, including: Gunfight At OK Corral, 3:10 To Yuma, Bullwhip, and Rawhide. His rendition of the title song for Mel Brooks' 1974 movie Blazing Saddles won an Oscar nomination for Best Song, and his recording of "Rawhide" for the television series of the same name has become a classic of the genre.
Cry of the Wild Goose
Frankie Laine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I must go where the wild goose goes
Wild goose, brother goose, which is best?
A wandering fool or a heart at rest?
Tonight I heard the wild goose cry
Hanging north in the lonely sky
I tried to sleep but it weren't no use
My heart knows what the wild goose knows
And I must go where the wild goose goes
Wild goose, brother goose, which is best?
A wandering fool or a heart at rest?
Woman was kind and true to me
She thinks she loves me, more fool she!
She's got a love that ain't no use
To love a brother of the old wild goose
My heart knows what the wild goose knows
And I must go where the wild goose goes
Wild goose, brother goose, which is best?
A wandering fool or a heart at rest?
(Oh, you're goose)
The cabin is warm and the snow is deep
And I got a woman who lies asleep
When she'll wake up tomorrow's dawn
She find, poor critter, that her man is gone
(Oh-oh-oh) my heart knows what the wild goose knows
And I must go where the wild goose goes
Wild goose, brother goose, which is best?
A wandering fool or a heart at rest?
Let me fly, let me fly, let me fly away
Spring is coming and the ice will break
And I can't linger for a woman's sake
She'll see a shadow pass overhead
She'll find a feather beside my bed
My heart knows what the wild goose knows
And I must go where the wild goose goes
Wild goose, brother goose, which is best?
A wandering fool or a heart at rest?
The Cry of the Wild Goose, sung by Frankie Laine, is a song about the call of the wild, the urge to leave behind the security and comfort of a domesticated life in search of adventure, freedom, and self-discovery. The wild goose serves as a metaphor for this calling, a symbol of the pull of the natural world and a reminder of the transience of human existence. The singer's heart, like that of the wild goose, is restless and seeks to follow its own path, even if it means leaving behind loved ones and the safety of a settled life.
The song expresses a sense of longing and conflict, as the singer struggles between the desire for freedom and the fear of losing what he has. He questions whether it is better to be a "wandering fool" or to have a "heart at rest," suggesting that both choices have their own risks and rewards. Ultimately, however, he concludes that his heart knows what it wants and that he must follow where the wild goose leads.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart knows what the wild goose knows
I feel the same urges as the wild goose to go on a journey.
And I must go where the wild goose goes
I cannot help but follow the wild goose on its journey.
Wild goose, brother goose, which is best?
Is it better to be like the wild goose, wandering and free, or like a brother goose, with a settled heart?
A wandering fool or a heart at rest?
Is it better to be unsettled and always searching for adventure, or to be content with what one has?
Tonight I heard the wild goose cry
I heard the call of the wild, urging me to follow it on its journey.
Hanging north in the lonely sky
The wild goose is flying north, alone in the vast sky.
I tried to sleep but it weren't no use
I cannot sleep because the call of the wild goose is too strong.
'Cause I am a brother to the old wild goose
I am like a brother to the wild goose, with the same desire for adventure.
Woman was kind and true to me
I had a woman who loved me and was loyal to me.
She thinks she loves me, more fool she!
But she is foolish to love me, knowing that I must follow the call of the wild.
She's got a love that ain't no use
Her love is useless to me because I am called to be like the wild goose.
To love a brother of the old wild goose
It is difficult for a woman to love someone like me, who is always restless and seeking adventure.
The cabin is warm and the snow is deep
I have a comfortable home, but I cannot stay because the wild calls me.
And I got a woman who lies asleep
My woman is asleep, unaware that I am about to leave her.
When she'll wake up tomorrow's dawn
When she wakes up in the morning,
She'll find, poor critter, that her man is gone
She will discover that I have left her.
Let me fly, let me fly, let me fly away
I must follow the call of the wild and leave everything behind.
Spring is coming and the ice will break
The season is changing, and it is time to embark on a new adventure.
And I can't linger for a woman's sake
I cannot stay for the sake of love; the call of the wild is too strong.
She'll see a shadow pass overhead
My woman will see me flying away like a shadow in the sky.
She'll find a feather beside my bed
She will find a feather, a reminder of my departure and my connection to the wild goose.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Terry Gilkyson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@taofledermaus
They often sung this song on "Our Miss Brooks" and I didn't know it was real song!
@pvelectric
at 8 years old in Ohio, this song came over the radio. It still gives me chills.
@loverofcountry506070
I was four in 1950 when I first heard it. It's been in my head ever since
@catniplovescake
I'm glad to find it as well.🤔😹💫for different reasons..age range..like, I wanna say 9 or so? lol!!! I think it hilarious now tho, sry to say it does crack me up 🦅🦆🦉whut?! there is no goose emoji?! IRL geese are impressive.
@UnknownBlackHand
Found the 'Remembering the '50's' cassette tapes from Reader's Digest in my local thrift shop, this song was among them, and it's awesome. People don't really talk about songs like this anymore.
@wilfriedschuler3796
I do.
One of my beloved songs.
Best regards from Frankfurt
@Loveoldies50
Love this song! I nearly wore out my Uncle Bud's album playing and replaying this song when I was a kid! I love Frankie Laine's voice. And whenever I hear this, I turn up the volume and think back to my Uncle Bud! Thanks for posting this!
@the78prof72
You're most welcome! Glad that you like it.
@williamtell8253
Even today I hear the cry of the wild goose. That's a top hit from the early fifties. Just groovy!
@elliotsoldies9585
This is my go-to hype song I listen to before an XC race