Lyrics
(Folk song)
1. My home’s in Montana, I wear a bandanna,
My spurs are of silver, my pony is gray.
Whatever the weather, we travel together,
With foot in the stirrup, I’ll gallop all day.
2. We’re up with the sun, ’cause there’s work to be done,
In the wide open spaces, that’s where we would be.
Out here in the West is the life we love best,
Montana is home for my pony and me.
3. When far from the ranches, I chop the pine branches
To heap on the campfire as daylight grows pale,
When I have partaken of beans and of bacon,
I whistle a cheery old song of the trail.
See also
- Country: Western states (U.S.) / American West
- Harmony: partner song with Home on the Range / chords I IV V
- Melody: tonic triad
- Meter: 3
- Rhythm:
/ anacrusis - Scale: hexachord
- Tones: drmfsld’
YouTube
or purchase here (printables only)
- Printable & Digital Visuals
- PDF of song with chords + Lesson ideas
- MIDI file
- Listen to the melody
This Montana native learned “When riding the ranges, my luck never changes, with foot in the stirrup, I gallop away,” instead of “whatever the weather…” Both lines work!
Good to know! Thanks!
I learned the lyrics in school in 7th grade with Beccajane’s version.
I’m from Ohio, but learned it as a young Girl Scout. We also learned the lines as-when riding the ranges my luck never changes
The second verse here is different too
I learned this version and my preschool,class sings it with gusto
Ha ha! That’s awesome! I can just imagine it! This songs is one of those I can never get out of my head! 🙂
I learned it the second way also.
I love this song and love Montana. I’m new at learning the ukulele and would love to play this song. How can I get the cords? I’m a beginner so need a visual. Also, I can’t read music ?
Lead sheets (with chords) for all songs on the whole website are available with a membership. Here is more info: https://www.bethsnotesplus.com/beths-notes-plus
I sang this song with my grade school fellow students with Wisconsin Muisic on the air in the 1940’s. I’ve never forgot the lyrics.
When valleys are dusty, my pony is trusty, he lopes through the bizzard, the snow in his ears. The cattle may scatter but what does it matter, my rope is a halter for pig headed steers.
1973 5th grade music class with Mrs.Weber at New England elementary in West Mifflin PA. Just outside of Pittsburgh.
Some songs stay with you. There are a few others that resurface from time to time.
Thank You for placing some of them on the internet.
Scot, I was in the 5th grade in 1962 and we also sang this song at Northern Pike Elementary in Monroeville, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh. Our version had a chorus, “Yipee Ti Yi A, Git along little dogies, it’s your misfortune and none of my own. Yipee Ti Yi A, Git along little dogies, for you know that Wyoming will soon be your home.” Behind our school was a little gray pony in a field, Thunder. So the song had special meaning to some of us, the fans of Thunder.
Learned it in elementary school in northwest Indiana