#SUNDAYREFLECTIONS: SONGS ABOUT THE PIONEERS

Pioneer children sang as they walked… and they probably also cried, laughed, shouted, and talked normally just our children do!

Pioneer Day is a commemoration of July 24, 1847, when the Mormon Pioneers arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley in what is now known as the State of Utah. History has it that on that day, Brigham Young rose from his sick bed in a wagon and confirmed this was the place he had seen in a vision. “This is the right place,” he said.

Elisa and I will share a few stories of our own pioneer heritage as well as a medley of children’s pioneer songs. We shared with you the lyrics of each in the order Elisa will play them.

We hope you have a beautiful Sunday.

We Love You!

Les & Elisa

PIONEER CHILDREN SANG AS THEY WALKED

Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked.
Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked.
They washed at streams and worked and played.
Sundays they camped and read and prayed.
Week after week, they sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked and walked.

LITTLE PIONEER CHILDREN

Little pioneer children gath’ring berries for food;
See the pioneer children hunting chips for wood.
Gladly helping each other, merry and happy were they,
Walking along, moving along, on their way.

Hear the pioneer children singing all the day.
See the pioneer children; there’s still time for play.
Often singing and dancing, merry and happy were they,
Walking along, moving along, on their way.

TO BE A PIONEER

You don’t have to push a handcart,
Leave your fam’ly dear,
Or walk a thousand miles or more
To be a pioneer!

You do need to have great courage,
Faith to conquer fear,
And work with might for a cause that’s right
To be a pioneer!

THE OX CART

Here comes the oxcart, oh, how slow!
It’s pulled by an ox, of course, you know.
The wooden wheels creak as they roll along.
Creak, creak, creak, creak is their song.

THE HANDCART SONG

When pioneers moved to the West,
With courage strong they met the test.
They pushed their handcarts all day long,
And as they pushed they sang this song:
For some must push and some must pull,
As we go marching up the hill;
So merrily on our way we go
Until we reach the Valley-o.