November 2025: Back to My Wyoming Home

Submitted by Bob Bovee

This is not an “authentic” cowboy song, but an old-time one first recorded by The Rambling Duet (Howard Dixon & Frank Gerald) for the Victor company (Bluebird 7232) in 1937. In their duet version, one of them yodels behind the lead vocal on the last line of the “Roll on, little dogies” refrain. My late wife Gail Heil and I used to sing this together, but never recorded it; however, it’s on my solo CD Rails, Trails and Tall Tales.

Listen to Bob’s recording of “Back to My Wyoming Home:”

Lyrics

There’s a place in Wyoming I’m longing to be
Where the air is so fresh and the wind blows free
Where the cowboys gather ‘round the campfire so bright
To yodel and sing in the long, starry night
Roll on, little dogies, roll on roll on
Roll on, little dogies, roll on
Night after night I sit all alone
Watching the stars and the pale silvery moon
I fancy near by my pinto I see
Back in Wyoming I’m longing to be

Chorus:
Oh, my Wyoming home
My dear old Wyoming home
I’ll jump in my saddle and away I will ride
Over the hills and across the divide
Back to my Wyoming home

My Wyoming home I left long ago
The best sweetest memories that I cherish so
A gray-haired mother and a little red shack
The songs of the prairie is calling me back
Roll on, little dogies, roll on roll on
Roll on, little dogies, roll on
I’m leaving today for a Wyoming town
To see all my friends and the cowboys around
No one knows how happy I’ll be
If I can find mother a-waiting for me

Chorus

Bob Bovee is a Nebraska native whose family sang and played the old-time songs. Many of the western and railroad songs he performs were learned from his grandmother and uncle. Since 1971 he has been a full-time touring musician. He plays banjo, guitar, harmonica and autoharp, sings, and yodels.