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.
The Happy Miner
[Air: I Get in a Weaving Way]
1
I am a happy miner, I love to sing and dance;
I wonder what my love would say, if she could see my pants,
With canvas patches on the knees, and one upon the stern;
I'll wear them while I'm digging here, and home when I return.
CHORUS
So I get in a jovial way, I spend my money free,
And I've got plenty, will you drink lager beer with me?
2
She writes about her poodle-dog, but never thinks to say,
"O, do come home, my honey dear. I'm pining all away."
I'll write her half a letter, then give the ink a tip;
If that don't bring her to her milk, I'll coolly "let her rip."
CHORUS- So I get in a jovial way, &c.
3.
They wish to know if I can cook, and what I have to eat,
And tell me should I take a cold be sure to soak my feet;
But when they talk of cooking, I'm mighty hard to beat-
I've made ten thousand loaves of bread the d---l could not eat.
CHORUS- So I get in a jovial way, &c.
4
I like a lazy partner, so I can take my ease,
Lay down and talk of going home, as happy as you please;
Without a thing to eat or drink, away from care and grief,
I'm fat and saucy, ragged too, and tough as Spanish beef.
CHORUS- So I get in a jovial way, &c.
5
The dark-eyed señoritas are very fond of me,
You ought to see us throw ourselves when we get on a spree;
We are as saucy as a clipper ship dashing round the horn;
Head and tail up, like a steer rushing through the corn.
CHORUS- So I get in a jovial way, &c.
6
I never changed my fancy shirt, the one I wore away,
Until it got so rotten I finally had to say,
"Farewell, old standing collar, in all thy pride of starch,
I've worn thee from December till the seventeenth of March."
CHORUS- So I get in a jovial way, &c.
7
No matter whether rich or poor, I'm happy as a clam,
I wish my friends at home could look and see me as I am,
With woolen shirt and rubber boots, in mud up to my knees,
And lice as large as Chili beans fighting with the fleas.
CHORUS- So I get in a jovial way, &c.
8
I'll mine for half an ounce a day, perhaps a little less;
But when it comes to China pay I cannot stand the press;
Like thousands here, I'll make a pile, if I make one at all,'About the time the allied forces take Sevastopol.
CHORUS- So I get in a jovial way, &c.
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.