Heard this song as a youngster performed by C.W. Brock Family blugrass band at Connie's Resturaunt in MA. Seek Jesse Brock on My Space as he sang it beautifully. As I recall it went like this

In a far northern cabin
While the dawn was just breakin'
From sleep I was shaken by the touch of her hand
And she knows that I'm leavin'
Though she's not a ' grievin'
And her heart beats believing I'll return if I can

Chorus
Ice covered birches, on a cold winter's morn
From the hillside they shimmer and glimmer and shine
But the branches are broken, and their heads are bowed low
Like the sad tender heart of that darlin of mine
Like the heart of that darlin' of mine

(second vers is quite sketchy - again I would confer with Jesse Brock on this)
While no plan lies in this and some men feared from counting
Every musket and mountain, the wilderness they came
But a (hmm hmmm hmmm hmm hmm) by theory unspoken
In strength I a 'token, and the girl waits in vain (????)
Chorus.
Good luck!! I love this song too. I wonder who wrote it?