"Donner Party Favors" lyrics

Fall was changing colors as we saw the mountains looming in the west
Mr. Donner told us that he was the man who knew this country best
He was shouting from the front the pass ahead would lead us to salvation
Beside the oxen wagon sweet Louise was walking in the midday sun

Humming nearer my God to thee
Take anything you want from me
Take anything at all

I wanted her so badly but the men around her guarded her like gold
She hid behind her blanket as the world around us started to grow cold
The trail was frozen over and the rumors started spreading of starvation
Fate was chosen for us but I knew her lips would touch me when the day was done

And I sang nearer my God to thee
Take anything you want from me
Take anything at all

Bird songs broke the silence and the manzanitas blossomed all around
The things Louise had buried in the snow now lay scattered on the ground
In the night I lay out in the grass beneath the silver constellations
And now I know for certain that none of us were winners when the west was won

And I sing nearer my God to thee
Take anything you want from me
Take anything at all