Story Behind The Song
This setting is from the soundtrack for the video of a young people's handcart trek, honoring - and getting a taste of the life of - the Mormon Pioneers. In 1846, as the first group was headed west, the U.S. government asked them to provide 500 men to join the army for anticipated war with Mexico - they became known as the Mormon Battalion. Their absence contributed to a year's delay in the westward migration. Though the song was not written for that occasion, those soldiers' wives or fiancees may well have felt like the woman in the song.
Song Description
This is an instrumental arrangement of a traditional folk song. A young woman's love has gone off (likely to war). He told her he'll come back, and she longs for his return.
Song Length |
3:33 |
Genre |
Unique - Soundtracks, Classical - General |
Tempo |
Multiple Tempos |
Lead Vocal |
Instrumental |
Mood |
Moving |
Subject |
Loneliness, Long |
Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
(Shown here, although this is an instrumental arrangement).
He's Gone Away (Traditional Folk Song)
I'm goin' away for to stay a little while,
But I'm comin' back if I go ten thousand miles.
Oh, who will tie your shoes ?
And who will glove your hands?
And who will kiss your ruby lips when I am gone?
Oh, it's pappy'll tie my shoes,
And mammy'll glove my hands,
And you will kiss my ruby lips when you come back!
Oh, he's gone, he's gone away,
For to stay a little while;
But he's comin' back if he goes ten thousand miles.
Look away, look away, look away over Yandro....
This track is on 2 Member Playlists