Patsy Cline – Come On In

About The Song

“Come On In (And Make Yourself at Home)” is an upbeat country novelty song recorded by Patsy Cline and first released as the B-side to her single “I Love You, Honey” on February 5, 1956, by Coral Records (catalog number 9-61583), a subsidiary of Decca. Written by Virgil F. “Pappy” Stewart, the track was recorded in 1955 (likely late in the year) during Cline’s early sessions with 4 Star Records, which distributed through Coral/Decca. It also appeared as an A-side on promotional singles like PC-11 (“Come On In / Hidin’ Out”) in 1956 and later on EPs such as Decca EPF-14 (“A Poor Man’s Roses / Come On In”) in 1957 and various 1958 reissues. Clocking in at approximately 2:06, the song features Cline’s lively, welcoming vocals over a simple, traditional country arrangement with acoustic guitar, rhythm section, and light backing harmonies, reflecting her early honky-tonk-influenced style before the smoother Nashville Sound of the 1960s.

In the mid-1950s, Patsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932, in Gore, Virginia) was in the early stages of her professional career, signed to 4 Star Records in 1954. She had debuted with singles like “A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye” (1955) and was building toward her breakthrough. “Come On In” was one of her earliest recordings, capturing a warm, nostalgic sentiment about small-town hospitality and longing for home. The lyrics describe a wish to return to an old neighborhood where neighbors greet you with “come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home,” extending to church, family, and even heavenly welcome—infused with friendly, down-home charm typical of 1950s country. The song did not chart on the Billboard country or pop lists, remaining a non-hit B-side and album track during her lifetime.

It appeared on her self-titled debut album Patsy Cline (Decca, August 5, 1957), which compiled early 4 Star material, and on various budget compilations, EPs, and posthumous reissues including Hilltop’s Today, Tomorrow, and Forever (1964), Everest’s Patsy Cline’s Golden Hits (1962), and modern collections like Bear Family reissues and The Patsy Cline Collection (1991). Multiple takes and live versions exist in discographies, including radio airchecks and TV performances from the era. Though not a commercial success like her later smashes (“Walkin’ After Midnight” in 1957 or “Crazy” in 1961), “Come On In” showcases Cline’s early vocal warmth and her ability to deliver lighthearted, relatable material. The song has been praised for its genuine small-town feel and endures as a charming entry in her pre-breakthrough catalog.

Behind the scenes, the track was part of Cline’s prolific 1955-1956 sessions, often produced or directed by Owen Bradley or similar Nashville figures. Virgil Stewart’s songwriting brought a folksy, welcoming theme that aligned with country traditions of community and home. “Come On In” remains a fan favorite among collectors of her early 4 Star recordings, frequently anthologized and appreciated for its simplicity and sincerity. It stands as an important piece of her formative years, before her tragic death in a plane crash on March 5, 1963, at age 30, illustrating the roots of her enduring appeal in classic country music.

Video

Lyric

Come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home
If I had one wish, I wish I could
Go back to my old neighborhood
Where the good folks they all love you as their own

Then I’d go over to my neighbor’s house
Knock on the door ‘n they’d all sing out
Come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home

I’d sing their praises long and loud
‘Cause they’re all my folks and I’m mighty proud
Of the little old town back home where I was born

I wish that I could hear them say
In the good old-fashioned friendly way
Come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home

Well they don’t lock their doors at night
‘Cause they all know they’re a doin’ right
And the good Lord’s bound to have them for his own

If I’d go back to hear them pray
In the little pine church they all would say
Come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home

When I was a child of only three
I said my prayers at my mother’s knee
And I knew right then from God I’d never roam

When I get my summons on the Judgment Day
I hope I can hear my Savior say
Come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home

Come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home