Trails Across the Desert

Map courtesy Hole in the Rock Foundation

By Josephine Bayles

Published in San Juan Centennial Sampler 1980


Foreword:  The following are words written when the horse back trip was taken to the Hole-in-the-Rock in September 1940.  I wrote the first verse, but several of us, including Casse Monson, wrote the 2nd verse.
It goes to the tune:  Covered Wagon Trails


There are trails across the desert,
There are trails across the sand,
There are trails the Piutes used to travel
As they traveled in a warrior band.
When the trails of Indians and of Mormons
Came together in this dreary place,
They made history in this San Juan County,
"Tis their trail that we came to trace.

Covered wagons furnished transportation,
Weary horses plodded through the dust;
They came willingly because they must--
Weariness and troubles oft beset them,
Of their praise we love to sing and talk;
'Tis of them we're thinking as we travel
Down their trail to the Hole-in-the-Rock.
Riding down trails made long, long ago
By our forefathers all,
Who had answered, as we know
Their own dear leaders' call.

Chorus:
Down a covered wagon trail,
Not a brave heart dared to fail,
Over bush and rock they rode
Each with an enormous load.
Though they're nearly all gone now,
To their memory we bow;
Now our voices let's raise,
As we sing to their praise
Down this old time wagon trail.