Way Out There

(Bob Nolan)

(A trio yodel that sounds just like the old train whistle.)

A lonely spot I know where no man will go

Where the shadows have all the room,

I was ridin’ free on the old S. P., humming a Southern tune

When a man came along, made me hush my song,

Kicked me off away out there.

So I threw down my load in the desert road,

Rested my weary legs.

I watched the sinking sun make the tall shadows run

Out across that barren plain.

Then I hummed a tune to the rising moon.

He gets lonesome ‘way out there.

(Trio yodel.)

So I closed my eyes to the starlit skies,

And I lost myself in dreams.

I dreamed the desert sand was a milk and honey land

Then I woke up with a start.

There’s a train coming back on that one-way track

Gonna take me ‘way from here.

As she was passing by, I caught her on the fly.

I climbed in an open door.

Then I turned around to that desert ground

Saw the spot I will see no more.

As I was riding away, I heard the pale moon say,

“Farewell, pal, it sure gets lonesome here.”

(Trio yodel.)

NB: Bob wrote at least one more verse to this song:

As she pulled out of sight, I turned to my right,

The left, and everywhere,

But all I could see was a cactus tree

And a prairie dog playing there.

Saw the prairie dog feed on the tumbling weed.

That’s his home away out there.

It may be possible to find the complete recording by the Sons of the Pioneers. Go to our Discography pages for guidance or write us.

Don't forget to check to see if Current Artists have recorded it!

Contact Calin Coburn if you would like to purchase a photocopy of the sheet music.

For permission to record Bob Nolan's music, contact: The Songwriter’s Guild of America