Headin' Down The Hill From
Hollenberg
by Dave Rhodes
It's a bright windy day and very cold,
I'm on the last leg of a double run,
Feel more like a horse than a rider
And look forward for this shift to be done.
Headin' down the hill from Hollenberg
On the way back to my station home.
We carried Mr. Lincoln's letter west,
The full meaning of which is not known.
It's an honor for someone like me
To take part in this momentous ride.
I'll tell my grandchildren about it
And always carry a measure of pride.
I've been thinking about the Express
and, although it will not last,
how it's a miracle in our time
that we can deliver the mail so fast.
The boys out in the gold fields
Will soon get news of the election
And whoop and holler it up a little
Then, talk real serious about the
How strange it feels during exciting times
To be an ordinary man of simple station
And ride in the famous Pony Express,
Bringing the historic mail across the nation.
Perhaps I should have more profound thoughts
Or maybe prepare a little speech for my arrival,
But, when I get back it's the basic things
That I will really need for my survival.
An image of my sweetheart rides beside me,
The pain of too little sleep plagues my mind
Along with the dream of a good hot meal
And the need for a bath follows close behind.
Headin' down the hill from Hollenberg
Those are my thoughts on this endless ride,
I eagerly await the comforts of home
As I try to sort out my feelings inside.
Copyright David E. Rhodes
1998