The Cry of the Wild Goose
Tennessee Ernie Ford
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Tonight I heard the wild goose cry Wingin' north in the lonely sky Tried to sleep, but it ain't no use 'Cause I am the brother to the old wild goose My heart knows what the wild goose knows And I must go where the wild goose goes Wild goose, brother goose, which is best A wanderin' foot or a heart at rest The cabin is warm and the snow is deep And I've got a woman, she lies asleep When she wakes at tomorrow's dawn She'll find, poor critter, that her man is gone My heart knows what the wild goose knows And I must go where the wild goose goes Wild goose, brother goose, which is best A wanderin' foot or a heart at rest My woman was kind and true to me Thinks she loves me, the mournful she She's gotta learn that it ain't no use To love the brother to the old wild goose My heart knows what the wild goose knows And I must go where the wild goose goes Wild goose, brother goose, which is best A wanderin' foot or a heart at rest Spring is comin' and the ice will break And I can't linger for a woman's sake She'll see a shadow pass overhead She'll find a feather beside my bed My heart knows what the wild goose knows And I must go where the wild goose goes Wild goose, brother goose, which is best A wanderin' foot or a heart at rest Wild goose
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Written by: TERRY GILKYSON
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Song Origin"The Cry of the Wild Goose" was written by Terry Gilkyson, who was well-known for his contributions to the popular folk group, The Easy Riders.
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Laine's SuccessThe song was rerecorded and released by Frankie Laine in February 1950, and it became his third consecutive number one hit on the Billboard charts.
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Tennessee Ernie Ford's VersionLater, the song was covered by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Released in 1951, his version also gained significant popularity.
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Laine's Signature Song"The Cry of the Wild Goose" is considered one of Frankie Laine's hallmark songs, enhancing his popularity as a significant singer of the 1950s.
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Chart SuccessThe song held the Number 1 position for two weeks on the U.S. Billboard chart and was also charted in the UK where it peaked at Number 10.
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Folklore InfluenceThe song encapsulates a strong folk theme, with an allegory of a man compared to a wild goose that just needs to roam.
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Blend of GenresThe song seamlessly incorporated elements of folk, country, and popular music, which was a testament to both the songwriting and the timeless performances of both Laine and Ford.
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Laine's PerformanceLaine's version is most remembered for his extraordinary belting of the tune, demonstrating his significant vocal power.
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Song ThemeThe song presents a profound theme of wanderlust and the tension between domestic life and the untamed call of the wilderness and freedom.
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Popularity Across MediaApart from its chart success, the song was also included in various movies and television soundtracks, enhancing its reach and significance in popular culture.
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Influence on Music Scene"The Cry of the Wild Goose" significantly spread the trend of fusing folk and pop music in the contemporary music scene of the early 1950s.
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Citation
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