Song Scrapbook
Original painting by Barbara Gardner
Depicts Frank writing the song while Diamondfield Jack looks menacingly over his shoulder
The Saga of Diamondfield Jack
As big as the West was ~ there never seemed to be enough room for both Cattlemen & Sheepmen. Range detectives, such as Diamondfield Jack, actually made a living from the inevitable friction between the two sides. In 1895 Diamondfield Jack found himself inextricably in the middle of one such range war and ended up spending six long years in prison for a double murder he didn’t commit. The wheels of justice were slow to transverse the back roads of the old West, but Diamondfield was finally spared the hangman’s noose and exonerated in 1902. Today his long and controversial horse ride ~ the supposed proof of his guilt at his trial ~ is still re-enacted in parts of Idaho & Nevada each year over the very ground where it took place.
Some of the Lyrics from The Saga of Diamondfield Jack
John Sparks and Andrew Harrel ~ Cattlemen by name
Vowed to keep all Sheep men from grazin' on their range
They drew a line at Goose Creek ~ hired Diamondfield Jack
To ride the line and turn any Sheep men back
Ride Diamondfield ~ ride boy ride
You’ll always be remembered for your history making ride
Written by Frank Fara
How the West Was Sung Music BMI