"Ballad of the Donnor Disaster" genre: Folk
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	An epic ballad describing the journey of the infamous Donnor Party across the Rocky Mountains.
	CD: Other Melancholy Works of Heart   Label: Chivalrous Productions Credits: Aaron Traffas - vocals, banjo, guitar, bass; Anna Boyd - keyboard, high and low harmony vocals; Mason Powell - Drums
	Story Behind the Song In American History during my junior year in high school, my teacher began talking about the Donnor party. I chuckled, and he saw it. I was then assigned a two page report on the subject. As I was writing the report, I realized that this would be a great subject for a song. I had it written in about 30 minutes. Recording was another matter entirely. I began about 5 months ago, and have been working sporatically on it ever since. It still needs a few touch-ups before its release on CD. Lyrics The storys told from age to age The most famous people to cross the plains Were George and Jacob Donner and James Reed Their families packed in the new Connestogas Theyd heard tales of California Never knowing the danger or what theyd meet Late June they reached Ft. Laramie Just one week behind their schedule They met up with James Clyman, an old friend He said do not take the short cut You see Ive been there and its way too rough Youll never make it in time or alive And oh, Mr. Donner Why do you cry? You weep for your family Because of you they will die The Donners knew they were already behind They had to make up for all the lost time When they reached the Little Sandy River, they turned left Why they did not follow advice Well never know why they risked their lives On some secret trail they knew not to take They found themselves in the Rocky Mountains With five feet of snow already on the ground They had no idea how to survive Had no supplies, no way to get out All their food was gone; all hope was lost They started eating the dead just to stay alive Worst winter ever in Sierra Nevada Over forty people had lost their lives In the blizzards of 1846 Gruesome tale though it may be It goes down in history A testament of the human will to survive (c) 2000, Chivalrous Productions, Aaron Traffas

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