Dont Fence Me I
Laine Frankie Lyrics
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Don't fence me in.
Let me ride through that wide open country that I love:
Don't fence me in.
Let me be by myself in the evenin breeze,
An' 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,
An' gaze at the moon till I lose my senses,
An' I can't look at harbours an' I can't stand fences:
Don't fence me in.
Instrumental break.
(Oh, give me land, lots of land, under starry skies above,)
(Dont fence me in.)
(Let me ride through that wide open country that I love:)
(Dont fence me in.)
Let me be by myself in the evenin breeze,
An' 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,
An' gaze at the moon till I lose my senses,
An' I can't look at harbours an' I can't stand fences:
So don't fence me in, oh no,
Now brother, don't you fence me in.
The song "Don't Fence Me In" by Cole Porter, as performed by Laine Frankie, is a classic ode to the American West and the freedom that comes with it. The lyrics begin by expressing a desire for wide-open land under a starry sky, and a plea to not be confined by fences. The singer longs to ride through the open country, enjoying the peaceful murmur of cottonwood trees and being alone with the evening breeze. He asks to be sent off and left to his own devices, without any boundaries.
The second verse reinforces this desire for freedom, with the singer longing to wander wherever he pleases on his horse, straddling his old saddle under the western sky. He wants to explore the mountains and the open spaces, losing himself in the beauty of nature. The line "I can't stand fences" is repeated and emphasizes the concept of confinement, which is antithetical to the spirit of the song. The chorus is then repeated, with the singer affirming that he refuses to be fenced in or confined by anyone.
One interpretation of the song is that it is an expression of the American Dream and the idea of individual freedom that is at the heart of the country's founding. The lyrics celebrate the natural beauty of the country and the desire to explore and experience it without being limited by man-made structures. The song has become a classic anthem of the American West, and its images of vast open spaces, wild horses, and mountains have become synonymous with the region.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, give me land, lots of land, under starry skies above,
I want vast and expansive land under a clear sky, with lots of stars above
Don't fence me in.
I don't want to be restricted by physical barriers or borders
Let me ride through that wide open country that I love:
Allow me to freely explore the open and expansive land that I have affection for
Let me be by myself in the evenin breeze,
I want time to myself, in the calming and peaceful evening air
An' listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees.
I want to be able to hear the gentle rustle of cottonwood tree leaves
Send me off forever but I ask you please,
Even if I have to leave forever, I request that you allow me my freedom
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle,
Release me and let me sit atop my trusty horse
Underneath the western skies.
Beneath the wide and vast western skies
On my cayuse, let me wander over yonder,
I want to be able to guide my horse as I please and explore the distance
Till I see the mountains rise.
Until I can see the grandeur of the mountains
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences,
I have a desire to ride to the point where the western land begins
An' gaze at the moon till I lose my senses,
Allow me to fully immerse myself and lose myself in the gaze of the moon
An' I can't look at harbours an' I can't stand fences:
Waterfronts and barriers are not welcome to me
So don't fence me in, oh no,
I reject the idea of being held captive or restrained in any manner
Now brother, don't you fence me in.
I warn you to not restrict or restrain me in any capacity
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind