Lyr. Add: HO! FOR CALIFORNIA!

We've (C)formed our band and are well-mann'd,
To journey afar to the promised land,
Where the golden ore is rich in store,
On the banks of the Sacramento shore.

Chorus:
Then Ho! Brothers, ho!
To California go.
There's plenty of gold in the world we're told,
On the banks of the (G7)Sacra (C)mento.
(F)Heigh O and away we go,
(C)Digging up gold in San Francisco.

O! don't you cry nor heave a sigh,
For we'll all come back again, by and by,
Don't breathe a fear, nor shed a tear,
But patiently wait for about two year.

As the gold is thar, most any whar,
And they dig it out with an iron bar,
And where 'tis thick, with a spade or pick,
They can take out lumps as heavy as brick.

As we explore that distant shore, --
We'll fill our pockets with the shining ore;
And how 'twill sound, as the word goes round,
Of our picking up gold by the dozen pound.

We expect our share of the coarsest fare,
And sometimes to sleep in the open air,
Upon the cold ground we shall all sleep sound
Except when the wolves are howling round.

As off we roam over the dark sea foam,
We'll never forget our friends at home
For memories kind will bring to mind
The thoughts of those we leave behind.

In the days of old, the prophets told
Of the City to come, all framed in gold,
Peradventure they saw the day,
Now dawning in California.

O! the land we'll save, for the bold and brave--
Have determined there never shall breathe a slave;
Let foes recoil, for the sons of toil
Shall make California GOD'S FREE SOIL.

Chorus:
Then Ho! Brothers ho!
To California go,
No slave shall toil on God's Free Soil,
On the banks of the Sacramento.
Heigh ho, and away we go,
Chanting our songs of freedom, O.

Tune- De Boatmen Dance, D. D. Emmett. Written by J. Hutchinson, 1851, "Book of Words of the Hutchinson Family, pub. NY, Baker, Godwin & Co. Music rev. Damon, 1936. Variant in Sandburg, 1927, and Dwyer et al., 1964.
Reminiscent of "The Banks of the Sacramento."
From R. E. Lingenfelter and R. A. Dwyer, 1968, Songs of the American West, pp. 14-15, with music; guitar chords by David Cohen.