Montana
Bob Nolan/Lou Forbes
Original copyright: 1954
To the rolling hills of Montana,
To the waving fields of grain,
To the open arms of Montana
Let my heart ever turn again.
Hee-lee-ay, hee-lee-o,
Hear the plains callin’ sweet and low.
Let me feel those ties that bind me
And my heart to your heart, Montana.
ABOUT THIS SONG
Bob Nolan was asked to write lyrics to a melody that Lou Forbes, the film's composer, had written for RKO's Cattle Queen of Montana (1954) starring Barbara Stanwyck and Ronald Reagan. And so the beautiful song, Montana, was born. The Sons of the Pioneers recorded it at their November 22, 1954 RCA session. Although the Pioneers used the song in their radio and transcription recordings, it was not used in the film. Simple but evocative, it has become a Bob Nolan classic with its solo by Tommy Doss, Bob's replacement in the trio.
SHEET MUSIC
BN 117-2 written at the bottom of each page of the sheet music (1954 Ross Jungnickel, Inc (music) and Bob Nolan Music, Inc (lyrics).