... was inspired (according to Wikipedia) by a romantic Western novel of the same title by John Fox, Jr., first published in 1908. The song was written in 1913, with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and music by Harry Carroll.
The novel was adapted as a stage play in 1912, and three film versions were made before Laurel & Hardy used the song in Way Out West; they were released (respectively) in 1916, 1923 and 1936.
As far as I can make out, Way Out West has no other connection to the original novel, the stage play, or any of the three film adaptations.
© Haydn Thompson 2024