Dr. Brewster M. Higley VI (1823–1911) was an American physician and poet best known for writing the original poem My Western Home, which later became the lyrics to the beloved folk song Home on the Range.
Though his poetic contribution was modest in scope, Home on the Range became a cultural touchstone, widely popularized and even favored by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Higley himself led a quiet life, continuing his medical practice and enjoying the frontier lifestyle until his death in 1911.
About the Song
This timeless American folk song celebrates the peaceful, open landscapes of the western prairie. Originally written as a poem in the 1870s, it later gained musical form and became a beloved symbol of frontier life.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Released | 1873(original poem), song form, later circulated in the late 19th century |
| Album | N/A – Traditional Folk Song |
| Writers | Dr. Brewster M |
| Producers | N/A |
Home Home on the Range Lyrics
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 sky is not cloudy all day.
Chorus
A home! A home!
Where the Deer and the Antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the sky is not clouded all day.
Oh! give me a land where the bright diamond sand
Throws its light from the glittering streams,
Where glideth along the graceful white swan,
Like the maid in her heavenly dreams.
Chorus
Oh! give me a gale of the Solomon vale,
Where the life streams with buoyancy flow;
On the banks of the Beaver, where seldom if ever,
Any poisonous herbage doth grow.
Chorus
How often at night, when the heavens were bright,
With the light of the twinkling stars
Have I stood here amazed, and asked as I gazed,
If their glory exceed that of ours.
Chorus
I love the wild flowers in this bright land of ours,
I love the wild curlew’s shrill scream;
The bluffs and white rocks, and antelope flocks
That graze on the mountains so green.
Chorus
The air is so pure and the breezes so fine,
The zephyrs so balmy and light,
That I would not exchange my home here to range
Forever in azures so bright.
Chorus
Similar Songs Like Home Home on Brewster Higley
If you are into old traditional songs, here’s a list of similar songs by different artists that you might love:
- Heart of Gold: It is a gentle folk-rock tune about searching for love and truth. Heart of Gold remains one of Young’s most iconic songs. Its harmonica and acoustic warmth made it a chart-topping classic.
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Red River Valley: A heartfelt farewell song from the American West, expressing love, parting, and longing for home.
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Shenandoah: This traditional ballad captures the beauty of the Missouri River and the yearning of distant love.
Similar Artists Like Dr. Brewster Higley
Here’s a list of similar old-time rock artists and writers that you might love to browse through and enjoy:
- Stephen Foster
Genres: American Folk, Parlor Songs
Top Works: Songs of Stephen Foster, Beautiful Dreamer, Camptown Races - Woody Guthrie
Genres: Folk, Protest Songs, Americana
Top Albums: Dust Bowl Ballads, Songs to Grow On, This Land Is Your Land - Gene Autry
Genres: Country, Western, Cowboy Ballads
Top Albums: Back in the Saddle Again, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, South of the Border
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Home, Home on the Range a State Song?
Yes, it was officially adopted as the state song of Kansas on June 30, 1947.
Was Home, Home on the Range always this Famous?
Not initially. It gained popularity over time, especially in the 1930s when it was widely performed by artists like Bing Crosby and Gene Autry.
Has Home, Home on the Range Been Used in Movies or TV?
Yes, frequently. It’s been featured in Western films, cartoons, and even a Disney animated movie titled Home on the Range (2004), though the film’s story is unrelated.
