Tune: “little brown jug.” THE FOLLOWING SONG WAS COMPOSED AND SUNG BY BARNARD WHITE ON THE PLATTE RIVER IN NEBRASKA IN 1864. In eighteen hundred sixty four We started out to meet the poor. We left our families and our friends To help to gather Israel in. Four yoke of cattle in each team Some of them were rather lean. Our teams did number fifty-three And on we rolled so merrily. CHORUS: Hurrah my boys chain up your gaps, The cattle they are coming in. Fifteen minutes to yoke up in, And then my boys we’re off again. With Captain Preston at our head, The Mormon train we nobly led Through rivers, over rocks, through sand, To bring the Saints to Zion’s land. But nothing happened to relate Until we came to Devil’s Gate. The devil thought he’d lay a snare To try to keep our cattle there. Next morning early we rose up, Our cattle soon drove in from feed. And when we’d got them all corralled, All at once they did stampede. The yokes and chains flew round and round, A wagon was turned upside down. Some bloody noses, shirts were tore, As we went out to meet the poor. On the fourth day of June we crossed the Platte, Some places the water was over our backs Five wagons went in a little too low And rolling down the stream did go The wagon boxes left the wheels, The boys soon followed at their heels My greenbacks are inside,” they cried, As they went rolling down the tide. When all the teams had come to land, The Captain did refreshments hand. Saying “Drink my boys it’s very cold, And that will make your hearts feel bold.” Those wagons shall and must come out, Now who is in for going out?” “I am,” a dozen voices cried, We soon jumped in the rolling tide. Three yoke of cattle we took in, Sometimes we all did have to swim. But the Mormon boys they know no fear, We soon snaked out the running gears. And through the water we did dash, Some ropes on the boxes lashed. Four wagons we got out that night, The other one left until daylight. Next morning we rose up in haste, And soon we did our breakfast taste. In the river looked and saw in sight, The wagon we’d left overnight. The Captain started on a trot, And very soon refreshments got. Toasts were drank, the cup went round, And soon we in the tide did bound. Then through the water we did dash, Some ropes into that box did lash, The up and down the stream did feel, But soon found out we’d lost a wheel, And when we towed that box to shore, Refreshments, they went round once more Which cheered our hearts and spirits bold, And soon the train in motion rolled. We were as jolly a Mormon band As ever traveled over land. And what I’ve told you is a fact, It happened when we crossed the Platte. On this or any other trip, Our duty we will not forget In the water or on the land, We’ll always by our Captain stand.