Teaming up the Cariboo Road was written about 1900. Some of the actual characters of the day are mentioned, as well as many jobs associated with the wagons. The song is about a great ball the teamsters would be attending in the town of Clinton, where the dancing and singing went on for days.

Download MP3 2.4 MB Teaming up the Cariboo Road

Teaming up the Cariboo Road

Words and Music: Traditional

Here comes Henry Curie, he’s always in a hurry,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.
He makes the horses go through the dust and through the snow,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.
You should see him sprintin’ to the ball at Clinton,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.
He makes the ladies dance just like his horses prance,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.

(Chorus)

When you here that whip a poppin’,
You bet he’s got a load.
When you hear the sweet voice singin’,
“Stand up rowdy on the Cariboo Road.”

Pete Egan as a rule to his horses he is cruel,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.
He beats them with a rail, puts fire in their tail
Teaming up the Cariboo Road
Old Pete he look so wicked if you ask him for a ticket,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.
At the sight of a half a dollar, he will grab you by the collar,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.

(Chorus)

The driver’s on the deck with a rag around his neck,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.
While the swamper’s in the stable, making sure the team’s are able,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.
The freighters earn their hire when the roads are in a mire,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.
But they can beat the weather if they all pull together,
Teaming up the Cariboo Road.

 (Chorus)