Lyr Add: Under Dakota's Cross (Wilf Carter)

Subject: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy song
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 07:00 PM

This one is on the tape my dad did of "cow songs of the Old West." I didn't find it in a super search, nor in the DT. It has a really pretty tune.

If anyone knows it and what "dakota cross" it refers to, please let me know. Dad always thought it was a constellation, but I can't find anything by that name. Thanks!

DAKOTA'S CROSS

Under the light of the Western sky
After a dreary day
Lost on their broncos two cowboys clung
Lost on the plains were they.

Hunger and sickness had been their lot
Filled with the endless gray
Searching for water they knew not where
One to the other one said:

Far in the east where both we grew
Happily, side by side
There is a lassie so good and true
She is my promised bride.

When you return, go and comfort her
Don't let her mourn my loss
Tell her my last words were of her
Under Dakota's Cross

After the dreary night was gone
After a weary day
Out of the east there came a storm
Claiming them for its own.

Far in the east where both we grew
Happily side by side,
There is a lassie so good and true
She is my promised bride.

When you return, go and comfort her
Don't let her mourn my loss
Tell her my last words were of her
Under Dakota's Cross

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 07:16 PM

Lovely song, kat. Don't know anything about Dakota Cross, tho.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 07:18 PM

It's not real relevant, but did you run across this?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 08:04 PM

Thanks, Sorcha, that was an interesting link. Might have to get a copy and read it. Remind me to sing you this tune next time we talk. My voice is a little rusty right now, something is blooming and playing havoc!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 10:16 AM

Still wondering if anyone can shed some light on the title of this song, its meaning or reference, etc.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: JenEllen
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 01:14 PM

Lovely song. I always assumed it referred to Cygnus? The Northern Cross is wonderfully visible in the Dakotas.

Orion kneeling in his starry niche,
The Lyre whose strings give music audible
To holy ears, and countless splendors more,
Crowned by the blazing Cross high-hung o'er all;
James Russell Lowell

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 05:05 PM

Thanks, Jenellen. My dad and I always thought it probably referred to a constellation, never thought of Cygnus!

I asked if he knew any more background on it. He said it is an authentic old cowboy song, was on an old 78, which my sister may have, so I'll ask her to take a look that for more info. He said it might have been sung by Carl T. Sprague, but he wasn't sure.

It is a very simple, easy to learn tune, also.

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 06 - 05:31 PM

Dakota's cross was sung by Paul Hamblin on Victor Records. It was on the flip side of Strawberry Roan. Your post is the only place on the internet I can find the words. Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 06:39 AM

Guest, you are most welcome. In a later thread, from last year, I posted about some CDs I made from old 78's which my brother had recorded in the 1950's on reel-to-reel. If you Click HERE, you will see Dakota's Cross is included and how to contact me if you would like copies.

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 08:47 AM

Kat, nice song. I've never heard the Hamblin.

Any chance you could do an ABC of the tune?

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 09:44 AM

Bob, I will try, but it may take a bit; we're in the middle of refinance and buying another house.:-) I also have a tape of my dad singing it a couple of years before he passed.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 12:22 AM

The Online 78rpm Discographical Project says that UNDER DAKOTA'S CROSS was recorded by Paul Hamblin in 1930, on Victor V-40260.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 12:27 AM

BMI says that UNDER DAKOTA'S CROSS was written by Wilf Carter.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy s
From: Artful Codger
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 06:57 PM

Any possibility, then, that it's in Wilf Carter's songbook?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy s
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 07:08 PM

Anyone still interested in the tune for this? I could get it up on youtube, if you'd like. Might take a day or two. Nice to see it still getting interest here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dakota's Cross - another old cowboy song
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 03:32 PM

I am left wondering whether or not Paul Hamblin, himself, indicated that this song was written by Wilf Carter!?

Kat, If your address is still the same, I'll be mailing a package to you when I can get out next--but more snow is due tonight---so we will see. When you two be moving?   If it's new, please e-mail it here.
Great words. New to me too. I should re-listen to your dad's tape.

Art

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Under Dakota's Cross (Wilf Carter)
From: GUEST,Keith
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 06:13 PM

Considering that Wilf didn't record this until late in his career and that album shows this simply as "arranged" by him. I doubt he wrote it, no indication of the disc label as who did. One of my favorites by my favorite artist.

Subject: Lyr Add: UNDER DAKOTA'S CROSS (Wilf Carter)
From: GUEST,Keith
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 11:03 AM

Here's the words as recorded by Wilf Carter. They differ somewhat from those shown previously.

DAKOTA'S CROSS

Under the light of the Western sky
After a weary day
Fast to a bronco two cowboys clung
Lost on the plains were they

Hunger and sickness had been their lot
Filled with a nameless dread
Searching for water they knew not where
One to the other one said:

Far in the east where both we grew
Two buddies, side by side
There is a maiden so good and true
She is my promised bride.

When you return, go and comfort her
Don't let her mourn my loss
Tell her I sleep neath a pillow so deep
Under Dakota's Cross

After a weary night had fled
After the stars had flown
Out of the east there came a storm
Claiming them for its own

Far in the east a maiden weeps
Mourning her lover's loss
She never knew what his last words were
Under Dakota's Cross

Far in the east where both they grew
Two buddies side by side
There is a maiden so good and true
She is my promised bride

When you return, go comfort her
Don't let her mourn my loss
Tell her I sleep neath the pillow deep
Under Dakota's Cross.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Under Dakota's Cross (Wilf Carter)
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Apr 11 - 11:07 AM

Guest Keith, thanks for the alternate lyrics!

Am I correct in assuming there is no copyright on this song from so far back? Thanks, folks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Under Dakota's Cross (Wilf Carter)
From: Genie
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 02:07 PM

Does anyone know the original copyright year for this song?
If it was written after 1922, it may still be under copyright.

In any case, since you've recorded this song for one of the new Mudcat CDs, Kat, I would like to add the copyright year to the liner notes, if we can figure out when it was written.

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Under Dakota's Cross (Wilf Carter)
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 02:40 PM

Well shoot. I notice BMI does not list a copyright date, nor does the link to Peer Music. I will do more research on it and find out. May have to go to the backup song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Under Dakota's Cross (Wilf Carter)
From: Genie
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 11:29 PM

Kat, not having the copyright date won't mean the song can't be on the CD. It would just be nice to know it if possible.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Under Dakota's Cross (Wilf Carter)
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 11:12 AM

Thanks, Genie, but my concern is whether it is still under copyright. Anyone know of a way to find that out? BMI's listing led an agent at Peer Music who, so far, has not replied to my query re' same. (When I called, she couldn't just "look it up" to see.) I'd esp. like to know in light of what Keith wrote about it being "arranged" by Carter.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Under Dakota's Cross (Wilf Carter)
From: Genie
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 05:30 PM

Even if the song itself is PD, if Carter "arranged" it, the arrangement can be copyright protected. It would be good to know that.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Under Dakota's Cross (Wilf Carter)
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 May 11 - 12:02 AM

Genie, please see your PM from me. It may all be a moot point.:-) Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Under Dakota's Cross (Wilf Carter)
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 May 11 - 01:46 PM

Got my answer, Genie:



Peer International Corp. owns this song 100%, not PD. Good luck with your project.

Regards,, Lee

Lee Reed | Manager, Mechanical Licensing
901 W. Alameda Ave. | Burbank, CA. 91506 USA

I'll be sending you liner notes, etc. for my own song, That's Not My Colorado, instead.

Thanks!