In the summer of 1997 I took an Elderhostel trip riding horseback through the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho under the supervision of Ricks College, a Mormon school in Rexburg, Idaho. Elderhostel trips require that three things be taught, so these were history of the region, horse skills, and camping skills. At our final "Banquet" everyone was asked to give a little talk and so I wrote this! And people sang along with the chorus!
Written for Last Night of Idaho Elderhostel, June 20, 1997
(Transcribed 12/13/08 from paper towels on which it was scribbled)
Tune: Boston Charlie
Now join me in this saga of Elderhostlers
Who went for a ride one day –
They started at Ricks College, to gain a bit of knowledge,
And this is the story of their stay!
Chorus: And did they ever return?
No they never returned!
After all the things they learned,
They will ride forever,
Through the streets of Rexburg,
Elderhostlers, who never returned!
Now Ruth taught them courses on caring for their horses,
And Dick spoke of history and plants –
And Larry taught them camp skills, from tent poles to canteen fills,
And never pitch your tent on hills of ants!
[Chorus]
They heard the sad story of the end of Nez Perce Glory,
Under mountain peaks, snowy and high,
And they loved a pooch named Blue, and they learned to sing straight through,
Ghost Riders in the Sky!
[Chorus]
In camp they cooked their meals under Dick’s stern command,
And did the kitchen chores.
Then they heard Dick’s campfire lecture, lots of history, some conjecture,
Then retired to nurse their saddle sores!
[Chorus]
They rode horses in the mountains, through the canyons, cross the meadows,
And camped at Gilmore Ghost Town, grey and lone –
It was such a grand vacation, after due deliberation,
They decided not to go home!
[Chorus]
So when they got back to Rexburg, they staged a rebellion,
That would make Chief Joseph’s jaw go slack –
And each eager Elderhostler became a Larry-jostler,
And they said they would not give their horses back!
[Chorus]
Well, Larry said, “OK then, have it your own way then,
But in Rexburg you must remain!”
Now the Elderhostler riders have become Rexburg insiders,
And Ricks College will never be the same!
[Chorus]
Now John in yellow poncho, and Bob in straw sombrero,
Ride the Rexburg streets each day,
And June keeps making trouble, and for Lillian that goes double!
While Gloria and Nancy dance each night away!
[Chorus]
And Joan records this story, of Elderhostel Glory,
How they rode the mountains and the plains!
And how when it was all over, they were all in such clover,
That they never went home again!
[slightly different chorus here for the ending!]
And did they ever return?
No they never returned!
After all the things they learned,
They will ride forever,
Through the streets of Rexburg,
Elderhostlers, who never returned!
###
