This Ain’t the Same Old Range

Bob Nolan
Original copyright: February 16, 1938

The scenes have changed across the range since long ago.
There’s miles of rails and crossroad trails that I don’t know.
But now my days are numbered here and I don’t care.
My old gang’s waiting just beyond the rolling clouds up there.

Refrain:
This ain’t the same old range.
Everything seems to change.
Where are the pals I used to ride with?
Gone to a land so strange.
This ain’t the same old range.

Each night I see my old pals where the bright moon climbs,
Roundin’ up the shooting stars that stray sometimes,
Then brand them right and tie them tight so they can’t fall
To some far place in empty space and ne’er be found at all.

‘Twas just beyond that little knoll that Cody died.
I still can hear him calling to me, “Howdy, Bill.”
And there he stands, a vision to my tired eyes.
He asks me if I’d like to join the riders in the skies.

"This ain’t the Same Old Range", still a favorite with those who regret the passing of the western music era, was first used in the Starrett western, Cattle Raiders. Even today the song brings a sense of weariness and loss - loss of good friends, happier times, freedom – and is often used to close a program of western music.

The song was registered for copyright on February 16, 1938.

The sheet music was included in Bob Nolan’s Folio of Original Cowboy Classics No. 1, © 1939, American Music, Inc.

This Ain't the Same Old Range (American Music, Inc.)

It was recorded by the Sons of the Pioneers for RCA Victor and for radio transcriptions. The song has been recorded by other artists and perhaps Ken Curtis' rendition is the most plaintive of all. But the recording for RCA in 1957, the one with Bob reciting the last two verses, is the most moving.

SONS OF THE PIONEERS TRANSCRIPTION RECORDINGS

Orthacoustic Symphonies of the Sage, transcription (064353)

10-2-4 Ranch radio show, February 5, 1943 (01)

Teleways Radio Productions transcriptions, Nos. 49, 115, 153, and 203 (c. 1947-48)

Lucky U Ranch radio show (courtesy of Larry Hopper)
-Transcription disc TR-71/72 (November 5, 1951)