Doug - Do you meant to tell me Sourdough Slim has finally gone to CD's? It's about time. That man puts real joy into his traditional cowboy music. His performances are always wonderful.
Bill Staines has a nice recording of the song, from his album with the same title. I copied the lyrics from the Bukk Staines Going to the West CD booklet. I swear I've heard somebody else do a nice rendition of the song - maybe it was Sourdough Slim.
-Joe Offer

GOING TO THE WEST
(traditional)

In this fair land, I cannot stay,
Here labor is in vain.
I'll leave the mountains of my birth
To seek the fertile plains,
I'm going to the West

[chorus]
You say you will not go with me,
You turn your eyes away [from me].
You say you will not follow me,
No matter what I say,
I'm going to the West.

It's many years since we first met,
And you became my bride,
Now I must journey far away,
Without you by my side,
I'm going to the West.

[chorus]

I'll leave you here in the land you love,
Mid scenes so bright and fair,
Where fragrant blossoms are a'bloomin'
And music fills the air,
I'm going to the West.

[chorus]