Song Scrapbook
Original painting by Pony
Inspired and sketched during live performances of the song at Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Donner Pass
Settlers wanting to move West by wagon train to California had one big obstacle ~ The Sierra Nevadas. They wanted to cross them in good weather and as quickly as possible, so they often sought the advice of guides who knew the best passage. In 1846 the Donner Wagon train did likewise, but chose a controversial shortcut through the mountains which proved fatal. The Donner Party was caught in early winter snows just short of the summit near Donner Pass. With all of their wagons mired in deep snow the Donner Wagon train was stranded four merciless winter months. Of the 87 who had set out from Illinois with high hopes for the promised land ~ only 42 survived ~ to make it to California.
Some of the Lyrics from Donner Pass
George and Jacob Donner and James F. Reed
Left San Gammon County ~ nine wagons and family
They met a well know traveller who said he’d show them all
A short cut to Californee on the Truckee route that fall
Oh Donner you believed in a glory seeking man
But will his short cut lead you ~ to the golden promised land
Written by Frank Fara
How the West Was Sung Music BMI