Miners during the Gold Rush were not always yelling Eureka! It was downright hard work which was more times than not unsuccessful. While some men became successful merchants and "mined the miners" -- hiking up prices of common goods because demand was so high others found success in unconventional ways. Old Put arrived in California via an overland trip early in the Gold Rush, possibly around 1850. He tried his luck in the goldfields of the Sierra Nevada's but was more-or-less unsuccessful. Adopting the pseudonym of "Old Put" he began traveling the mining towns as a composer/minstrel. He achieved success quickly because he would adopt well known tunes and change the lyrics to reflect whathe witnessed among the mining towns. He formed a company of minstrels called The Sierra Nevada Rangers and received payment in the form of gold dust. In 1855 Old Put published the first of two books. Put's Original California Songster featured two-dozen of his songs as well as short quips and passages. His second book Put's California Golden Songster was published in 1858 and featured over 30 more of his works.
These songs reflect a very important time in California's history -- a time of great success and utter failure, of devastation and construction, of kind acts and greedy deeds. While the songs were "originally commenced to relieve the tedium of a lonely cabin life" Old Put has portrayed "Life in California at a time when the restraints of society had to some extend become released" (Golden, preface).
p.s. -- to the 49ers and the following onslaught of argonauts (gold miners), the phrase "Seeing the Elephant" meant going to the goldfields. In encompassed the cost of the endeavor - the expenses incurred to get there and leaving their family behind. It also symbolized all of the possibilities one could encounter on their journey to California. Above all, it represented the unequaled adventure every argonaut would get just making the trip.
The lyrics are the original printed versions and might contain obnoxious comments, outrageous remarks, derogatory phrases, and, in most cases, improper English. The Gold Rush took place during an era of time where there were distinct classifications of rank on the social ladder based on skin color, nationality, religion, etc. These lyrics are included for historical accuracy and do not reflect the opinions of Groundspeak, us, or any sane person.
Sources:
Silber, Irwin - ed. "Coming Around the Horn." Songs of the American West. 1st ed. N.p.: Dover Publications, 2012. 27-29. Print.
Stone, John A. Put's Golden Songster: Containing the Largest and Most Popular Collection of California Songs Ever Published. San Francisco: D. E. Appleton &, 1858. Print.
Stone, John A. Put's Original California Songster: Containing the Largest and Most Popular Collection of California Songs Ever Published. San Francisco: D. E. Appleton &, 1855. Print.
Coming Around the Horn.
[AIR—Dearest May.]
Now, miners, if you'll listen, I'll tell you quite a tale,
About the voyage around Cape Horn, They call a pleasant sail;
We bought a ship, and had her stowed with houses, tools and grub,
But cursed the day we ever sailed in the poor old rotten tub,
Chorus:
Oh, I remember well, the lies they used to tell,
Of gold so bright, it hurt the sight, and made the miners yell.
We left old New York city, with the weather very thick,
The second day we puked up boots, oh, wus'nt we all seasick!
I swallowed pork tied to a string, which made a dreadful shout,
I felt it strike the bottom, but I could not pull it out.
Oh, I remember, etc.
We all were owners in the ship, and soon began to growl,
Because we hadn't ham and eggs, and now and then a fowl;
We told the captain what to do, as him we had to pay,
The captain swore that he was boss, and we should him obey.
Oh, I remember, etc.
We lived like hogs, penned up to fat, our vessel was so small,
We had a "duff" but once a month, and twice a day a squall;
A meeting now and then was held, which kicked up quite a stink,
The captain d—d us fore and aft, and wished the box would sink.
Oh, I remember, etc.
Off Cape Horn, where we lay becalmed, kind Providence seemed to frown,
We had to stand up night and day, none of us dared sit down;
For some had half a dozen boils, 'twas awful, sure's you're born,
But some would try it on the sly, and got pricked by the Horn.
Oh, I remember, etc.
We stopped at Valparaiso, where the women are so loose.
And all got drunk as usual, got shoved in the Calaboose;
Our ragged, rotten sails were patched, the ship made ready for sea,
But every man, except the cook, was up town on a spree.
Oh, I remember, etc.
We sobered off set sail again, on short allowance, of course,
With water thick as castor oil, and stinking beef much worse;
We had the scurvy and the itch, and any amount of lice,
The medicine chest went overboard, with bluemass, cards and dice.
Oh, I remember, etc.
We arrived at San Francisco, and all went to the mines,
We left an agent back to sell our goods of various kinds;
A friend wrote up to let us know our agent, Mr. Gates,
Had sold the ship and cargo, sent the money to the States.
Oh, I remember, etc.
Path is on a busy street, please exercise caution when going for the caches. There is NOparking along the route. Best to walk or use your bike.