Thursday, May 20, 2010

"We the Boys of Sanpete County"

The above photo is a re-enactment.
The lyrics of this song were composed by members of Mormon companies
who tried to cross a spring runoff-swollen Green River on 25 June
1868. They were teamsters headed east to meet and assist immigrants traveling to Utah.


In Obedience to the Call

Started out with forty wagons

To bring in Emigrants this fall

Without fear or thought of danger

On our way we lightly sped

Every heart with joy abounding

Captain Seely at our head.

To accomplish the mission

We were Called to fill below

Left our friends and wives and Children

On the dreary plains to go.
 
  Over hills and lofty mountains

Through the mud and in the dust

Slowly Climbed the lofty mountain

Far above the snows white Crust.

With the sun to set declining

glad to welcome closing day

By some stream or gushing fountain

To refresh all night we stay.
 
 
When we reached green river ferry

On its banks all night we stay

Next morning ferried our wagons over

Thinking soon to roll away

Next to drive our Cattle over

But we found they would not swim

Though the boys were in the water

Many hours up to the Chin.
 
 
While the boat was passing Over

The water into it did pour

The Captain cried boys we‘re going under

We shall sink this very hour
 
One had landed on an island

Clinging to the willow green

But with him life soon extinguished

Backwards fell into the stream.

Thus six boys from parents driven

And from friends whom they did love

But we yet again shall meet them

In that better world above.
 
The Green River Song” was written about 1868,   LDS Church Archives, Family and Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah

No comments:

Post a Comment

We would love to hear your comments