Gotta Pull Up Stakes (and Move On West)

Sheb Wooley

A restless breed the early pioneer
And when the settlements got too near
He'd just pull up stakes and move on West

When I first come to old Kaintuck
There was plenty of room to breathe
I could shoot out the window and bag a buck
The bear and the beaver were all around
Now they're cuttin' the timber and plowin' the ground
They're closin' in around my nest
Gotta pull up stakes and move on West

I used to go for months on end with never a soul in sight
But now the folks are pourin' in
Why I found out just the other day
I got a gol-darned neighbor 'bout a mile away
They're closin' in around my nest
Gotta pull up stakes and move on West

Goodbye home where once the livin' was the best
It's plain to see they're crowdin' me
I gotta pull up stakes and move on West

Out West they say the land is new as far as the eye can see
There's plenty of game and timber too
It's Injun country but I don't care
For elbow room I'll risk my hair
They're closin' in around my nest
Gotta pull up stakes and move on West

Goodbye home where once the livin' was the best...