Root Hog or Die
Author: Pioneer folk song
Composer: Folk song
Languages (1)
This song text has been indexed at SingPraises.net in the following languages:
- English: Root Hog or Die
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Statistics
Most common tunes for “Root Hog or Die”
This chart shows the tunes that are paired with this text most frequently, in hymnbooks and other collections published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If the text appears with the same tune in multiple editions or translations of the same hymnbook, it is only counted once.
Appearances of “Root Hog or Die” over time
This timeline shows which tunes have been used with this text over time, in hymnbooks and other collections published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Copyright status of original text
This text was first published in English, in 1977 or earlier.
Public domain
Earliest source indexed at SingPraises.net: Mormon Songs from the Rocky Mountains (1968), 18.
Representative lyrics
English (Original Language)
1. Oh, I’m a jolly driver on the Salt Lake City line; And I can lick the rascal that yokes an ox of mine; He’d better turn ’em out, or you bet your life I’d try To maul him with an oxbow Root hog or die.
2. Oh, I’ll tell you how it is when you first get on the road, You’ve got an awkward team and a very heavy load; You’ve got to whip and holler, if you swear it’s on the sly, A bunch of teams along, boys – Root hog or die.
3. Oh, times on Bitter Creek they never can be beat, “Root hog or die” is on every wagon seat; The sand within your throat, the dust within your eye; Bend your back and stand it too – Root hog or die.
4. When we arrived in Salt Lake the twenty-fifth of July The people were surprised to see us come so soon, But we are bold bullwhackers on whom you can rely, We’re tough and we can stand it too – Root hog or die.