Anne Tyler Lord

Why “Don’t Fence Me In?”

Although my favorite choice for music genres isn’t cowboy songs, the first time I heard the song, “Don’t Fence Me In,” I bust a gut laughing.  It struck a very deep cord in my soul and I could feel the words expressing one of my deep inner desires.  I want to be free, to experience life on my terms, to meander over the land, think about life and write the stories I have always dreamed about.

However, on my quest for freedom and the writing life, inner voices usually scream at me;  you’ll never be good enough, you’ll never get published, your friends and family will think you are crazy, they will hate what you write.  And, my life wasn’t the perfect picture I wanted yet.  I would love to live in the country or the woods, but live in the city.  I love to be free to write, but have felt overwhelmed by circumstances and the demands of life.

In addition, the wider culture seems to impose creative constriction, squeezing us so tight we can hardly breath. We are brainwashed at every turn with noise telling us what to think, to feel, and to buy.  It is killing our creativity and squashing our spirit.  How many more works of art, inventions, and scientific discoveries would be created if the loud voices of mediocrity and mass consumerism were not contributing to the demise of creativity and imagination? And, don’t get me started on the educational system geared towards testing outcomes!

Well, that’s enough insanity!

I have come to realize that freedom comes from within ourselves regardless of our life circumstances.  And, we CAN become more conscious and aware of the messages we receive from other people and our culture.   We can choose what to take in and what to disregard.  And, we can teach this to our children.  That is true freedom.

I have adopted the motto, “Don’t Fence Me In,” to remind myself to take risks, to do what is in my heart, and to expand my world when old habits take over.  It is also to remind myself NOT to build fences in my own life that constrict creativity and growth.  Finally, I want to be aware of the fences other people build that influence my life.

One of the most appealing aspects to this song is how easy-going the music and lyrics meander together.  It is relaxing just to sink into the feeling of the song, imagining long days out on the range with nothing to do but roam.  My favorite verse is:

I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences
Don’t fence me in.

Want to Hear the Song?

This is my favorite modern version with video by David Byrne The beat of Brazilian percussionists are the perfect addition.

A really cool modern version was done by Harry Connick Jr..

They use this song in a commercial for Nike Hockey It cracks me up!

An entertaining jazz version by Louis Armstrong and Velma Middleton- Funny banter!

A classic version performed by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters.

Fun version with Bob Hope and the Muppets.

Goofy version done by Disney .

Lyrics to the song, “Don’t Fence Me In,” as sung by Bing Crosby

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
And I can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences
Don’t fence me in.

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.
Ba boo ba ba boo.

I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can’t look at hobbles and I can’t stand fences
Don’t fence me in.
No.
Papa, don’t you fence me in

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Comments

13 responses to “Why “Don’t Fence Me In?””

  1. Mark Kerstetter

    I like the concept of your blog-project, as well as the themes in RedFlame DeepWater.

    I can’t stick to one genre either, one discourse, one flavor, one anything.

    1. Anne

      Thanks Mark!

      I’m tickled that you checked out more of my site! The RedFlame DeepWater series is only half done, if you read the first part, you experienced some dark stuff there. The DeepWater will be quite different. I plan to get going on that part in the next few weeks.

      I’m glad to see there is another genre jumper too. I sometimes judge myself as unfocused, but really I am just extremely curious and love to explore many things. I love to have someone else like that along for the ride!

      thanks so much! Very glad to connect with you!

  2. Jeanette Bennett aka Scablander

    I live Out West where there are still unfenced expanses not far from my home–and you can still feel trapped. Freedom is a state of mind. We do build our own fences. The only way I found to bust them down was by writing. There are no limits to where your imagination can take you if you just let it.

    I always liked that silly song, too. Would it be sacriligious to mention this version? Bob Hope’s version on the Muppet

    1. Anne

      Thanks Jeanette,
      I agree that writing is one of the final frontiers! There are no limits to imagination.

      And, I like that silly version of the song with Bob Hope and the Muppets. I was going to add it to the post, but didn’t was the list to get too long. However, I will add it t the list for kids, and for you ;))

  3. Dree

    Anne,

    Really loved the blog! We have so much in common! My fictional writing days are still ahead because I chose to live in the country (and still work my day job), and so far, it seems to take up more time than my children did when they were growing up.

    Living a life of creativity, imagination, and giving, truly living, is a continual adventure. Sometimes more than I like to handle! I wonder what life would be like, if I chose to give up my horses, move to an apartment in town, and give up being at the ranch. Well, unless they kick me off, I don’t think that’s going to happen. It would be easier, but I guess I never choose the easy way.

    So look at what your blog has done! Here I am thinking, being philosophical, inspired, and encouraged to keep on going.

    Thanks!

    Dree

    1. Anne

      Dree,

      Thanks for your kind and thoughtful comments. I have enjoyed connecting with you and taking a peek into your wonderful outdoor world. If I showed your website to my daughter, she would probably leave home and move in with you, maybe we all will. My sister lived in Idaho for many years, actually Boise part of the time.

      I thought my fictional days were ahead of me for over a decade, and they were. One day, my fiction-writing life arrived. Your’s will too, maybe sooner than you think. I’m glad you are encouraged! And, look for the space between the daily activities, that is where it will seep in.

      Oh, and ask your horses about stories, I’ll bet they have a lot of great things to tell you about!!

      1. Dree

        I think they have lots of stories to tell! You know we’re an intentional community, and we currently have a couple of serious inquiries for new members.

        In any case, if you ever get out to Boise area, let me know, you and your family will be welcome to visit us anytime.

        By the way, my-coworkers have adopted the magic 8 ball. They determined that it will help with project planning. 🙂

  4. Anne

    Jodi,

    Thanks! Your comments are very much appreciated! You know I love everything about your blog, your writing, the look, and your amazing photos.

    I thought it would help me to keep my focus and not give up when my own website, with my motto, is staring me in the face everyday.

    Looking forward to many more FridayFlash with all of you!

  5. Jodi MacArthur

    Beautiful and Brilliant, Anne! I thought your last one was really cute, but this is simply gripping and unleashed. I love this quote of yours,

    “I have adopted the motto, “Don’t Fence Me In,” to remind myself to take risks, to do what is in my heart, and to expand my world when old habits take over.”

    Fantastic!

  6. Anne

    Marisa,

    Thanks so much for your comments! I really enjoy the concept behind your blog!

    It is hard to take the fist leap. When it was time to learn to jump off the high board in swimming lessons as a child (in the days they still had them) it took me many lessons!! I would arrive at one lessons, sit on the high board the entire time, then come back down at the end. I did this for several weeks. But, I did finally jump.

    So, taking about ten years to start my writing career after making the decision is about my speed. I did have twins during that time, so it was very slow-going. I’m just glad I can finally do it! Amazing the time that opens up when the kids go to school;)

    Thanks so much for your encouragement and for following my progress! It means a lot to me!!

  7. Cole Bitting

    Great manifesto for a blog! Keep writing 🙂

    1. Anne

      Thanks Cole,
      I appreciate your support – and your site is amazing! Love your writing on mindfulness!

  8. Marisa Birns

    Blog is looking real good!

    Yes, freedom has to come from within. And old habits are hard to drop. But dropped they must be!

    I guess that’s why my Out of Order Alice is named so. I’ve always loved Alice in Wonderland and 5 years ago, I made a decision to step away from my comfort zone.

    Quirky, amusing, unusual, and weird became part of the landscape for me–a Wonderland!

    I welcome it all.

    Your favorite verse of the song is wonderful. I’m a moon child (astrologically) and gazing at the moon is a delightful way to spend some time.

    Congrats on your blog!

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