American Ballads

When We Rode North to Choteau

When we rode north to Choteau

We were well-enough supplied

And had left a canvassed hanging hind

In hopes that Travis might could find

The provender we left there

(And Robert, who had died).

Our hearts were full of fear

When we rode north to Choteau.

It was an open winter:

Sometimes a skiff of snow,

The rivers open, broken,

Would aid the Absaroka;

For sure it did not hinder

Their trackers when we’d go

To seek out meat and grass and heat

When we rode north to Choteau.

And Eric up on Rosie

And spurring, leading Zack,

Running down the coulees

Riding tight and truly

And reining in the narrows

With an Absaroka arrow

 Sprouting from his back;

And Lester up on Blackie

And Bailey kicking Lou

And the mules trussed to hackamores;

The day was bright, a blue day,

The shortest of the year;

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