Rancho Pillow
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh how I love my rancho Pillow
Ay-yaaaay I do.
I count my sheep on rancho pillow
While rounding up a dream or two.
Half way between old Amarillo
And heavens blue.
I lay me down in rancho pillow
While twinkling stars play peek-a-boo.
Yip along you sandman
don't you understand man
This here cow hand man.
is a sleepy buckaroo.
and how I love my rancho pillow
Ay-yaaaay I do.
For there are cowboys keep hopin'
That he'll soon be ropin'
A dream that will one day come true.
caaay-yee-peee (Yeeee!)
caaay-yee-peee (Yaaaa!)
cay-caay-yee-pee
(tu-dat-dat-da-da
ta-dah-ra-rah
ra-ra-ra-rah)
Oh how I love my rancho Pillow
Ay-yaaaay ya-ya-ya-ya-yay.
I count my sheep on rancho pillow
While rounding up a dream or two.
(Ay-yaay-yay-yay)
Half way between old Amarillo
And heaven bloooo.
I lay me down in rancho pillow
While twinkling stars play peek-a-boo.
Ad-lib: (syncopated instrumental)
And how I will like my rancho pillow tonight
Ay-yay da da da da da.
Ay-yaay I do.
For there are cowboys keep hopin'
Someday that he'll soon be ropin'
A dream that will someday come true.
Rancho Pilloooow
Where a cowboy keeps hopin'
that he'll soon be ropin'.
A dream that will one day come true (Ha-huah)
A dream that will one day come true (Ha-ha-huh)




A dream that will one day come true
(bong!)

Overall Meaning

The Andrews Sisters' song "Rancho Pillow" speaks about the love and appreciation for the quiet ranch lifestyle of a cowboy. The lyrics describe a sense of peace and comfort in the midst of the vast emptiness of the desert. The singer expresses her admiration for her ranch named "Rancho Pillow," where she can count her sheep and chase after her dreams without any distractions. The ranch location is described as halfway between the old town of Amarillo and the blue heavens above, highlighting the simplicity and transcendent freedom that the ranch provides. The singer also acknowledges her cowboy roots by referring to herself as a sleepy buckaroo that longs for the day when their dream of becoming a successful cowboy will come true.


The song successfully captures the essence of the American West's romanticized cowboys and ranch life. Taking a deeper look into the lyrics, the theme of longing and hope stands out. The dream of one day becoming successful and living the happy ranch life is what keeps the "cowboy" going through life. The peaceful and content lifestyle of a ranch is well-reflected in the song's rhythm and melody, which is slow-paced, soulful, and soothing.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh how I love my rancho Pillow
Expressing deep affection towards her place of rest, the Rancho Pillow.


Ay-yaaaay I do.
Re-iteration of the previous statement in a joyful tune.


I count my sheep on rancho pillow
Engaging in sleep by counting sheep in the Rancho Pillow.


While rounding up a dream or two.
Attempting to manifest dreams into reality, while at rest in the Rancho Pillow.


Half way between old Amarillo
The Rancho Pillow is situated at a geographical point that is midway between Amarillo and infinity that is symbolically referred to as 'Heaven's Blue' (beyond the sky).


And heavens blue.
Heavenly destination lying beyond normal human perception.


I lay me down in rancho pillow
Relaxation in the comfort of the Rancho Pillow.


While twinkling stars play peek-a-boo.
Observed through half-closed eyes, stars appear to play peek-a-boo as they twinkle.


Yip along you sandman
Instructing the imaginary character of the Sandman, to proceed with his duty of inducing sleep.


don't you understand man
Elevating Sandman to a status of respect.


This here cow hand man.
Reference to the singer herself, equating herself to a cowboy.


is a sleepy buckaroo.
The artist admits that she is tired and is 'sleepy'.


For there are cowboys keep hopin'
Describing the aspirations of 'cowboys' in general.


That he'll soon be ropin'
Hope and desire to achieve a particular goal.


A dream that will one day come true.
Faith in eventual success of the cowboy's dream.


caaay-yee-peee (Yeeee!)
Loud vocalization in joy and excitement.


caaay-yee-peee (Yaaaa!)
Another vocalization in joy.


cay-caay-yee-pee
Vocalized sounds symbolizing indescribable emotions.


(tu-dat-dat-da-da
Vocalization of percussive sounds that imitate instrumentals.


ta-dah-ra-rah
Another percussive vocalization imitating instrumentals.


ra-ra-ra-rah)
An extension of the previous vocalization.


Ad-lib: (syncopated instrumental)
Expressive improvisation that does not follow the main vocals and lyrics, but complements it. This can be heard as instrumental music in the song.


And how I will like my rancho pillow tonight
Anticipation of a comfortable rest in the Rancho Pillow on this particular night.


Ay-yay da da da da da.
A joyful tune expressing the artist's excitement about the forthcoming sleeping experience.


Someday that he'll soon be ropin'
Reiteration of the previous lines, with the hope that the cowboy's dreams will come true someday.


Rancho Pilloooow
Repetition of the title and reference to the place of rest.


Where a cowboy keeps hopin'
Reiteration of the aspirations of cowboys in general.


that he'll soon be ropin'.
Hope that the cowboy's desires will materialize in the near future.


A dream that will one day come true (Ha-huah)
Reiteration of the faith in the eventual success of the cowboy's dream.


A dream that will one day come true (Ha-ha-huh)
Reiteration of the previous line with variations in tonality.


A dream that will one day come true
Reiteration of the faith in the eventual success of the cowboy's dream. Concluding the song with a percussive and expressive instrumental sound.




Writer(s): A. Wrubel, C. Newman

Contributed by Victoria D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

george Cripe

Did this song come from a movie that The Andrews Sisters were in?

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