WE THE BOYS OF SANPETE VALLEY ~~~ From our archives

Someone recently told me they had attended an Education Week Seminar where they learned about Bishop  Wm. S. Seely and the "boys of Sanpete Valley" and asked me if we knew the story. The lyrics of the following 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.  On that eventful day, they saw six of their number drown while trying to cross the raging river on a ferry. We posted the song on May 20th but didn't know the whole story. I later ran onto a site you may want to visit to learn of the  story. Here are the words from the Song:  "We The Boys of Sanpete County".

We the boys of Sanpete County

In Obedience to the Call

Started out with forty wagons

To bring the 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 declining

glad to welcome the 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

The 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 love

But we yet again shall meet them

In that better world above.