The Wikipedia page for this American folk song refers to it as the unofficial anthem of the American West. It is also the Kansas state song. It is credited to Dr. Brewster M. Higley (or Highley) of Smith County, Kansas, who wrote the words as the poem "My Western Home" somewhere between 1871-1873. However, the origins of the song have been debated. As noted on the Wikipedia page, the song has been used everywhere from Bugs Bunny cartoons to cowboy shows and Christmas movies.
In an earlier post about this song, Wendi Capehart wrote this:
"I think it's kind of interesting that this song and "The Road to Gundagai" express similar sentiments- a nostalgic longing and love for home. There are a lot of lyrics to this one, as with most folk songs. Here [below] are some (selected from those in the 1916 Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads)."
Lyrics
A HOME ON THE RANGE
OH give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day
CHORUS:
Where the deer and the antelope play.
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day
Where the air is so pure, the zephyrs so free,
The breezes so balmy and light
That I would not exchange my home on the range
For all of the cities so bright
(Chorus)
How often at night, when the heavens are bright
With the light from the glittering stars ,
Have I stood here amazed and asked as I gazed,
If their glory exceeds that of ours.
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