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UTAH CARL Sung by: Ollie Gilbert Recorded in Mountain View, AR by George Fisher Click here to listen to the original recording Why I’m always sad and still, Brow is always darkened, Like cloud upon a hill. Rein in your pony closer. I will tell to you a tale Of Utah Carl, my partner, Who died upon the trail. Among the rocks and the thistle, Mexico’s fine land, Where the cattle roamed by thousands, Upon the herdless band, There’s a grave without a headstone, Without a date or name. Lie silent; sleep, my partner, In the land from which you came. Together we have roved; We’ve ridden side by side. I loved him as a brother; I wept when Utah died. Together we have roved, Throwed the rope, that’s burnt the brands. In dark and stormy weather We gained the night herd stand. We were rounding up one morning. When the work was almost done, That the cattle started On a wild and maddened run. Boss’s little daughter Was riding by his side, Rushed in to turn the cattle, And there's when my partner died. ‘Neath the saddle on the pony, Where the boss’s daughter set, Utah that very morning Had placed a red blanket, Where the saddle might be easy To Lenore, his little friend. The blanket which he placed there Brought my partner’s life to an end. When Lenore reined in her pony To the cattle on the right, Her blanket slipped from beneath her; She held her stirrup tight. There’s nothing in the ranches Would make the cattle fight No quicker than some red object Waved up in their sight. Oh, when we saw the blanket, Everyone there held their breath. Should her pony fail her, . . . death. When the cattle saw the blanket A-dragging on the ground, They were maddened in a moment, And charged it with a bound. When Lenore, she saw the danger, She turned her pony’s face And leaned from out of her saddle, The blanket to replace. Lenore, she lost her balance, She fell before the tide. “Lie still, Lenore, I’m coming,” Was the words my partner cried. Fifteen yards behind her, Utah Carl came riding fast. Little did he dream that moment, That ride would be his last, And he leaned from out of his saddle; He caught the trailing rope. To save the boss’s daughter, Speed was his only hope. Such a ride upon the cinches I never saw before. When the . . . broke from under him, He fell beside Lenore. When Lenore fell from the pony, She drug the blanket down. Lie down close beside her Where she lay upon the ground. Utah picked up the blanket. “Lie still again,” he said, And running through the prairie, He waved it o’er his head, And when we saw him running, Us boys give a cry. He saved the boss’s daughter, But we knew he had to die. He had turned the maddened cattle From Lenore, his little friend. When the cattle rushed down upon him, He turned to meet his end, And quickly from his scabbard, Utah both pistols drew. He was bound to fight while dying, Like cowboys bravely do. His pistol flashed like lightning; Their report came loud and clear. When the cattle rushed down upon him, He dropped the leading steer. When the cattle rushed down upon him, My partner had to fall, No more to ride the ranches, Nor give a cattle call. He died upon the ranches, Which seemed most awful hard, But we could not make the distance In time to save our pard. We rushed out in the circle Where my partner had to lay. Down in the dust and wounded, His young life passed away. As I knelt down beside him, I heard him faintly say: “Lie still, Lenore, I’m coming,” Was his last words to say. Now his young life is ended; He give up in this day. He’s closed his eyes in silence, And his face turned deathly pale. I went to church on Sunday. I heard the preacher say, “I don’t think our friend Utah Was lost on that great day. He’s a loving, brave cowboy; He didn’t care to die. I think our friend Utah Has a home beyond the sky.” Also found in Randolph, Vol. II, #206. |
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All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College |