North to Alaska,

Johnny Horton

My eyes began to sparkle like Christmas lights

When I saw the huge gift-wrapped box marked ‘Ed’

My lovely spouse had given me a truly unique present

It’s been my dream gift since childhood – a dog team sled

And very luckily for both myself and my very hardy dog team

We awoke to a very White Christmas just outside our front door

This blessed Christmas morning gave us the perfect opportunity

To get in shape and start a rigorous training program once more

As I eagerly harnessed up my brave and devoted canine team

My thoughts soon flew north to Alaska this glorious snowy morn

I kept thinking about this wild frontier’s extremely captivating history

Where travel was only possible by dog sled – where legends were born

Where supplies mail and life saving medicines

Were delivered by mushers and their heroic dogs

Where gold was discovered and hauled out in tons

As they raced past majestic mountains and pine logs

But my biggest obstacle at this very moment

Was convincing my team to pull my new sled

Tiny Chica Blanca insisted on riding in it with me

My other dogs preferred wrestling in the snow instead

But I’m also convinced that this will only be a very minor obstacle

As soon as my loyal team gets the idea into their very loyal furry heads

Soon it will be onward and upward for all five of us – and North to Alaska

“OK, Guys! Mush, Mush!” but they seemed not to hear a single word I said

- But a Dreamer Never Gives Up His Dream -

More rapid than eagles his four brave canines they now came,

And he whistled, and he shouted, and he called them by name;

Now, Junior! Now, Chica Blanca! Now, Tater and old Turbo!

The wilds of Alaska Await Us; So Mush Mush Team, Let’s Go!

My Lifelong Dream of Living in Alaska Continues

I’ve journeyed there many times basking in its scenery

My spouse somehow can’t seem to warm up to this idea

But I know my dog team and I would be in Heavenly Glee

And I keep reminding my wife that her Apache ancestors

Are related to ancient Alaskan natives called the Athabascan

But she keeps insisting that she’s moving back to New Mexico

“You can go alone to the frozen north, You Crazy Little Big Man!”

- But a Dreamer Never Gives Up His Dream -

©2005, Old Musher Ed