Songs about the Pony Express?

Subject: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 25 May 10 - 03:16 AM

A newsletter from one of the Kansas State Legislators reports:

"Pony Express celebrates 150th Birthday in June with Cross Country Ride

"The first Pony Express riders began their mail route on April 3, 1860 and delivered mail for just 18 months.

"To commemorate its 150th birthday, a June re-ride of the historic mail route, done in sections by various riders, will begin in San Francisco (California) and end in St. Joseph (Missouri). The riders will carry a special mailbag called a mochila with a copy of President Abraham Lincoln's 1961 inaugural address, the most famous piece of mail carried by the Pony Express.

"Riders will stop at these Kansas locations:

"At the Hollenberg Pony Express Station Historic Site near Hanover at 5pm on June 21; Historian Jim Hoy will present "Home on the Range."

"At the Pony Express Barn museum in Marysville at 9:15pm on June 22; music, games, and other entertainment is planned, and

"In Seneca on June 23.

"You can learn more about the Pony Express in a Department of Commerce publication, "Special Pony Express Rides Again" available at Travel Information Centers or by visiting http://www.NPS.gov."

(The NPS link doesn't get an obvious "one-click" to the publication, but a search on the site - using their box - gets a result with lots of good(?) stuff at Search)


There must be at least a few old songs, or maybe someone could whip out a good one just for the anniversary(?)

John

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 25 May 10 - 03:43 AM

I've got a recording of Tex Ritter doing a song about the Pony Express; apparently one of the first riders was a man called Haslam.
I'll see if I can dig it out.

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: pavane
Date: 25 May 10 - 05:03 AM

I think (seem to remember) The Santa Fe trail has a passing reference to a girl who rode like she carried the mail

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: open mike
Date: 25 May 10 - 05:07 AM

this line is probably in the song.."only orphans need apply"

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Melissa
Date: 25 May 10 - 09:10 AM

Riders in the Sky sing one called "Cody of the Pony Express"

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 May 10 - 09:30 AM

Jimmy Johnson and the Bandwagon - "Blame it on the Pony Express". Not sure if you could make a folkie version out of it though:-)

DeG

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 10 - 09:36 AM

Oh the Pony Express
Is a fine Express
It's the fastest Express
And the world's very best!
If you need an Express
Try the Pony Express
That's P-O-N-Y Express!

(To the tune of Woodie's "Ladies Auxiliary")

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 May 10 - 05:22 PM

You are correct, Seamus. Pony Bob Haslam.
Art

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 25 May 10 - 07:33 PM

Here's what ol' Tex has. It sounds like a fragment of a longer song, but he tells the story of Pony Bob Haslam delivering the news of Abraham Lincoln's election from Fort Kearney, Nebraska to California.
Along the way Bob's attacked by Indians, and has to defend himself and his gallant pony. Typical Western movie stuff.
It starts with a verse, goes into the story an finishes with a verse.

They rode by night, and they rode by day,
The job was hard but they found a way,
The Pony Express, they carried the mail.


Story:

Through the rain and the snow and the hail,
They never did stop and they never did fail,
The Pony express, they carried the mail.

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 25 May 10 - 08:25 PM

I'm sure the articles linked in the opening post probably give a lot of history, but my recollection is that advertisements for riders for the mail specifically set an upper age limit of something like 18 or 19 years. It was assumed that younger riders would be lighter in the saddle, and possibly less aware that risks are something to be avoided.

(I'm told the situation is much the same in competitive motorcycle events now, with most of the "name" riders being sub-teen; but that may be 'cause I mostly know bikers who claim to have outgrown some sort of "youthful stupidity.")

John

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PONY EXPRESS (Cunningham/Lamsdale)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 25 May 10 - 10:19 PM

^^THE PONY EXPRESS
Words Paul Cunningham. Music Sam Lamsdale. 1913

1
Come back with me folks,
Come back with me folks,
To the dear old Golden West,
Where red and white men, were always fightin',
Where Jesse James was at his best,
Just see those miners,
Those forty-niners,
A loungin' 'round in wild and wooly dress,
This is their holiday,
That's why they're acting gay
They're waiting for the Pony express.
Oh.

Chorus:
Here it comes now, (softly) Giddy yap Giddy yap Giddy yap.
Here it comes now, (softly) Giddy yap Giddy yap Giddy yap.
Just see that Pony run,
Guess he can drive her some,
He knows he's bringing news from mothers,
Good advice from Dad's and brothers,
That's why he cries,- Giddy yap Giddy yap Giddy yap.
Just see him as he yells out "whoa thar Bess."
See him throw them their mail,-
Answer ev'ry one's hail,-
Mount that fresh horse near by,
Ride away with a cry,
That's the coming and the going of the Pony express.-
Whee!

There's Bronco Harry,
He's heard from Carry,
Now he's happy as can be,
And even Ching-lee, the camp cook chinee,
Has news from far across the sea,
Some hearts are gladdened,
Some other's saddened,
But no matter what the news they all confess,
They feel much better when
They see the letter men,
The men who drive the Pony express.
Oh.
Chorus:

Sheet music F. B. Haviland Pub. Co. Inc. New York, 1913

University of Colorado, Western Trails, UCB Libraries Digital Music Collection.

(Please, no raspberries!)

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: open mike
Date: 26 May 10 - 12:26 AM

perhaps the folks who operate this museum would know..it is in
Gothenburg, Nebraska.http://www.nebraskabeautiful.com/south-central-nebraska-tourism/pony-express-station-gothenburg-nebraska.html

Subject: Lyr Add: CODY OF THE PONY EXPRESS (Bob Nolan)
From: GUEST,Elisabeth
Date: 31 May 10 - 08:03 PM

^^CODY OF THE PONY EXPRESS
(Bob Nolan)

In every corner of this world they boast of men so bold.
From Captain Blood and Mister Mud to England's kings of old.
Why, every place I've ever been, they think their man's the best.
But listen while I introduce a bold man from the West.

A thunderbolt bust and then a big cloud of dust
And out rides Cody of the Pony Express.
Totin' the mail beside him, he knows the trail to guide him,
Cody of the Pony Express.

Now, the Injuns wait by the canyon's gate to take Bill by surprise
But they'll never beat the mustang feet of the fastest horse alive.

So, over the rim he's running,
Racing the wind, he's coming,
Cody of the Pony Express!

Now I once saw Cody fight his way through a thousand Indian braves
Riding on a two-ton buffalo's back, he jumped on an Indian's grave
Then he took a half hitch on the buffalo's tail and swung him 'round and 'round
Says, "Step up close, you red galoots, I'll mo-o-o-o-w you down!"

A thunderbolt bust and then a big cloud of dust
And out rides Cody of the Pony Express.
Totin' the mail beside him, he knows the trail to guide him,
Cody of the Pony Express.

Now, the Injuns wait by the canyon's gate to take Bill by surprise
But they'll never beat the mustang feet of the fastest horse alive.

So, over the rim he's running,
Racing the wind, he's coming,
Cody of the Pony Express!

Source: http://www.bobnolan-sop.net/Lyrics/Docs/Cody%20of%20the%20Pony%20Express.htm

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 12:08 AM

There is a fairly recent song about the Pony Express. I can run the tune through my, but can only specifically recall the catch line at the end of each stanza. I heard a group sing it at the Autry Museum six or eight years ago, and I've heard it played on a local radio show a couple of times.

But alas, I cannot connect it to the group I thought sang it, Justis and the Montanas, nor can I find any reference to it in over 200 Google items.

What do I remember? Each stanza ended in the line, "They called it the Pony Express," which I thought might be the title.   Also, the historically inaccurate phrase, "and on to the Golden Gate." The PE only went as far as Sacramento, Ca. It's a very catchy song, well done...by whoever recorded it.

You might try contacting some online stations like Heartland Public Radio (hpr.com) or Saddle Songs which is available through live365.com.

Good luck

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Greg B
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 12:22 PM

Considering the short-lived duration of the service (less than two years) and the hectic pace I wouldn't have expected it to generate very many "primary" lyrics.

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: open mike
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 01:45 PM

here are some excerpts from the experts..

The last Pony Express ride in California was on Nov.21 1861 between Sacramento and Salt Lake City.

http://www.xphomestation.com/ ...The National Pony Express Association will conduct its annual Re-Ride over the 1,966 mile route of the Pony Express National Historic Trail from California to Missouri, June 6 to 26, 2010....

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pony_Express....
Their proposal was a fast mail service between St. Joseph and Sacramento, California by a Pony Express with letters delivered in 10 days, a duration many said was impossible. It was not exactly overnight, but perhaps overpriced for the time, at $5 a half-ounce...



any song about the P.E. might include these fellows..

William Cody

...William Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill epidomizes the legend and the folk lore of the Pony Express.... he was transferred to Slade's Division in Wyoming where he made the longest non-stop ride from Red Buttes Station to Rocky Ridge Station and back when he found that his relief rider had been killed. The distance of 322 miles over one of the most dangerous sections of the entire trail was completed in 21 hours and 40 minutes. It took a total of 21 horses to complete this run.

Robert Haslam

"Pony Bob" Haslam, was among the most brave, resourceful, and best known riders of the Pony Express. He was born January 1840 in London, England, and came to U.S. as a teen. Haslam was hired by Bolivar Roberts, helped build the stations, and was given the mail run from Friday's Station at Lake Tahoe to Buckland's Station near Fort Churchill which was 75 miles to the east. Perhaps his greatest ride, 120 miles in 8 hours and 20 minutes while wounded, was an important contribution to the fastest trip ever made by the Pony Express. The message carried, Lincoln's Inaugural Address.

Jack Keetley

Jack Keetley was hired by A. E. Lewis for his Division at the age of nineteen, and put on the run from Marysville to Big Sandy. He was one of those who rode for the Pony Express during the entire nineteen months of its existence.

Jack Keetley's longest ride, upon which he doubled back for another rider ended at Seneca were he was taken from the saddle sound asleep. He had ridden 340 miles in thirty-one hours without stopping to rest or eat.


In Fort Bridger State Historic Site in Wyoming, on 6/15/2010

Pony Express riders will ride through Fort Bridger celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express, special edition postal cancellation will commemorate the occasion, special envelopes with cancellation can be ordered for nominal fee

I wonder if the post office willhave special stamps or cancellation
any where else?

here is some more info on the up-coming cross country ride.
http://www.barnmice.com/group/horsejournals/forum/topics/150th-anniversary-pony-express

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: open mike
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 07:20 PM

the song mentioned in the post above is this: by Due West Trio (acoustic) (not the recently formed hard rock country band named Due West)
https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/duewesttrio3

you can hear a short sample of it on the above link.

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 09:47 PM

Thanks, O.M., that is the song I was trying to recollect last night. That is not the group I heard sing it at the Autry, though; there was only boys singing that night. That clip sounded real good.

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 02:27 PM

Jimmie Driftwood wrote one called "The Pony Express." I don't have time to transcribe it now, but here's part:

I ain't got time for to talk to ya now,
'Cause I've got to carry the mail.

If I forget, somebody please remind me to post it.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,Elliot Brown
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 06:49 PM

Hi Joe, yeah, The Jimmie Driftwood song Pony Express is a work of genius. Chet Atkins produced his songs. It can be found on Youtube. I always have difficulty understanding the words to the chorus though, especially the first lie. If you can help me with the words please email me at [e-mail]. Thanks heaps!

-Elliot Brown

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,Elliot Brown (youtube.com/rogermiler)
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 06:53 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2qlO0uTVj4

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 08:01 AM

Progress!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 10:12 AM

When I was little I had a children's record about the Pony Express which had several songs on it. The recurring line in the main song went:
It's gallop and gallop and gallop-i-ay
It's the Pony Express that I'm ridin' today.

Another song--to the tune of "Widdicombe Fair" I later discovered--ended each line with a name and "And all":
And Pony Bob Haslam and all....
And Buffalo Bill Cody and all..

It was a great way to learn those names.

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 18 Dec 11 - 04:31 PM

Is Pony Boy related at all? THey gallop across the plains. mg

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,WE
Date: 19 Mar 13 - 11:06 PM

There was a children's record about the Pony Express in which the chorus went:

"If you want it there by Christmas
   It'll have to take the Isthmus
   Because the mail is oh so slow."

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Mar 13 - 11:51 PM

my dad rode a segment for an anni in the 1960s...can't remember, but he got a big patch, a bible and a gold coin. we were quite proud of him.

it's fun to read and listen. thanks.

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 20 Mar 13 - 04:36 PM

Guest, WE,
    That's the same record I referenced inn 2011! The song you cite had a chorus that went:
Sorry, sir, the mail is slow
The mail is oh so slow
And if you send it by the isthmus
It'll never be there by Christmas
Because the mail is oh so slow.
    It's how I learned the word "isthmus."

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Mar 13 - 09:10 PM

Here's a modern one I came across from John Malcolm Penn whom I haven't come across before.

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Mar 13 - 09:20 PM

No, that took you to his website. this should take you to the song

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: frogprince
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 08:53 PM

Maybe that's what this is actually about. : )

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: mayomick
Date: 22 Mar 13 - 07:13 PM

Here's Johnny Johnston and the Bandwagon - you did say any song, didn't you?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emyufEItMTY

Subject: Lyr Add: PONY EXPRESS (Cannon/Gentry)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 01:38 PM

This song has a rather poignant message, but I'm not sure what it is. We're all more expendable than we think? Or guys in bars can be assholes?


PONY EXPRESS
(Murray F. Cannon / Theodore Gentry)
As sung by Alabama on "The Touch" (1986)

He came in and sat down at the end of the bar,
His old rawhide shirt full o' dust.
He asked for a glass and he ordered white whiskey.
He talked to himself and he cussed.
He'd left Sacramento early that mornin'
With a sackful of mail for Saint Joe,
Had to outrun some outlaws outside Carson City
By ridin' where they wouldn't go.
He said to me, "Mister, this long ridin's hell,
But I guess it's gotta be done;
Otherwise, how would you get all your mail
If the Pony Express couldn't run?"
I said, "I hear you, mister, and you do your job well,
But I hear it won't be for long.
They'll be sending the mail by the wire and the rail
And your pony and you will be gone."

He came in and sat down at the end of the bar,
His coveralls covered with dust.
He said Jesse James had just held up his train.
He talked to himself and he cussed.
He'd pulled out o' Saint Joe early that mornin'
With the mail and the Union payroll,
Had to stop for a rock-slide outside Jackson City,
And Jesse made off with the gold.
He said to me, "Mister, this railroadin's hell,
But I guess it's gotta be done;
Otherwise, how would you get all your mail
If that old iron horse couldn't run?"
I said, "I hear you, mister, and you do your job well,
But I hear it won't be for long.
They'll be sending the mail without you or the rail,
'Cause they say man will fly before long."

He came in and sat down at the end of the bar.
His face looked all haggard and gray.
He ordered a drink and said, "Make it a double.
Boys, it's sure been a long day."
He'd flown out of Denver early that mornin'.
He said, "You'll never guess where I've been.
A hijacker needed a lift down to Cuba,
So your mail will be late gettin' in."
I said, "I hear you, mister, and you do your job well,
But you know it ain't been that long.
They were doing it best with the Pony Express
Before you and your friends came along."

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,Granddaughter
Date: 01 Jan 14 - 02:21 PM

SO my grandpa used to tell me this story sbout the pony express. This is what I remember. This was Indian country. Indians had hated all white men especially the riders of the pony express. Suddenly a coyote howled in the darkness, but was it a coyote call? Pony bobs keen ear detected something suspicious about this coyote call. He listened this time for sure the Indians had seen him was using a coyote call as a signal. Pony bob raked the pony with his spurs and sped on threw the night. When from both sides of the canyons came a howling. Pony bob fumbled threw the settle and almost fell, but with terrific effort he regained his balance. On and on rode Pony Bob his head reeled and his eyes were dead one thought ran through this brave man the message must get through, the pony express must not fail. From station to station till on the sixth day a tired bowery slumped from his settle at the telegraph office Fort Trinity Nebraska and file a message California was definitely waiting to hear. Their was a new President. His name, Abraham Lincoln.
If any one can tell me what this story/song/pome is or how I can find it I would be very greatful. You can email me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,AgedFanBoy
Date: 25 Mar 15 - 10:51 PM

After a lengthy search, I have finally found info about "The Pony Express" 78 RPM children's record album I had when I was a wee lad. Here's a link to a small page about the record.

"The Pony Express" record album

Here's another link to a page of links to the recorded music of the Pony Express record, as well as to other children's records, which you might find interesting, also.

Children's Record Guild

I hope you find this interesting.

Subject: RE: Any Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,#
Date: 26 Mar 15 - 02:24 PM

Pony Express brief history.

Subject: RE: Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,Seanster46
Date: 15 Mar 19 - 05:02 PM

There was a song named "Pony Express", by Call Worthington,", your singing cowboy"
From Nebraska to Nevada a carry in the mail Pony Express goes riding along the Colorado trail
Has anyone else heard or remember this?

Subject: RE: Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,mike h
Date: 03 Jun 19 - 08:37 AM

More lyrics to the "Slow Mail" song, on "The Pony Express" by John Griggs with The Gene Lowell Chorus
1951 on Young People's Records (YPR-507)
http://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/ypr507

Also cited as produced by the Children's Record Guild
https://arago.si.edu/record_204883_img_1.html

Oh, I live in California,
And I'd like to send some money
To my wife back in Tennessee;
For to buy some Christmas presents
For our baby boy named Sonny,
And our darling little daughters three.

Chorus:
Sorry, Sir – the mail is slow,
The mail is always slow!
And if you send it by the Isthmus
It'll never get there by Christmas --
Cause the mail is oh so slow!

Oh, I live in New York City,
And I'd like to send a letter
To my gal in Californ-i-a;
Just to tell her that I'm coming
With a wedding ring to get her,
For to marry her on Christmas Day.

(Chorus)

Subject: RE: Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jun 19 - 08:53 AM

Found the "Slow Mail" song on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T_lRyii3zI

Fourth line in the chorus is actually:

It'll never *be* there by Christmas

Subject: RE: Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 05 Aug 19 - 04:45 PM

I’m 76 yrs old now and I remember a kids song (when I was 8 or 9) about “The Pony Express” very similar to the one sung by Tex Ritter but not quite the same. I don’t believe it was sung by Tex Ritter. Does anyone know of a 45 rpm record by someone other than Tex Ritter. I’d love to hear it again.

Subject: RE: Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 07 Aug 19 - 05:49 PM

Thanks for the links to Pony Express on Youtube; it was great to hear the whole record again! And it led to dozens of more of the Young People's Records I heard or had when I was little. I could spend a whole day just listening.

Subject: RE: Songs about the Pony Express?
From: GUEST,Steve_A
Date: 18 Oct 19 - 02:37 PM

I seem to remember an old cartoon I saw as a child that was set to the song (or featured the song) "Slow Mail." Anyone else share that recollection with more details?

Subject: RE: Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Kingwood Kowboy
Date: 20 Oct 19 - 10:18 PM

Pony Express Sad Tale (Larry W. Jones 03/02/2008) (song#5332)

When I rode the Pony Express a long time ago
At one relay station I lingered on my way
My darling, the dearest a cowboy can ever know
Always was waiting, whether it was night or day

In sunshine or winter snow, on dark days or bright
By that relay station, I ne’er would circumvent
In dark of winter, in her window shone a light
To guide my pony along the trail as I went

Oh, the happiness I knew, cowboys, need I tell
A whole year passed on by and not a cloud arose
But listen cowboys to the fate my love befell
And of the grief this cowboy’s heart alone now knows

One dark winter night with snow falling cold and deep
Pony Express bade me ride on the trail alone
My heart was filled with desire, I thought not of sleep
My thoughts were of my darling, of my very own

My ride almost finished, my pony turned aside
His face toward the trail where we so often were found
Then, terror stricken, with a sickened jerk, he shied
With legs a-tremble, my eyes gazed upon the ground

Cold as ice was my heart, hardly knew what I did
Fear was on my face as I looked upon the ground
For there in the snow, by the darkness so well hid
A lifeless body at my pony’s feet was found

I lifted the form up from its mantle of snow
And tenderly carried it from the trail away
Not a wonder of my burden, for I did know
It was my darling, my own, in my arms she lay

This cowboy’s hair is white from passing of the years
I will grieve evermore from what that night befell
Now, cowboys, forgive me, I beg you, for my tears
Please don’t ask again my Pony Express sad tale

Subject: RE: Songs about the Pony Express?
From: Kingwood Kowboy
Date: 20 Oct 19 - 10:24 PM

St Joseph To Sacramento Pony Express (Larry W. Jones 08/18/2011) (song#6260)

Here he comes, look at him ride, sitting tall with all his pride
Now, there’s no need to guess
It’s the St Joseph to Sacramento Pony Express
(instrumental)
Let him go, give that horse rein, blowing wind through his long mane
His mail has an address
It’s the St Joseph to Sacramento Pony Express
(instrumental)
That cowboy, ridin’ the line, makes the station right on time
He’s the best, I’ll confess
It’s the St Joseph to Sacramento Pony Express
(instrumental)
Hold your hat, don’t slow him down, gone to Sacramento town
Day and night he’ll progress
It’s the St Joseph to Sacramento Pony Express

Here he comes, look at him ride, sitting tall with all his pride
Now, there’s no need to guess
It’s the St Joseph to Sacramento Pony Express