2. Beckoning

Acoustic guitar and melodic motifs highlight this tenor solo with quartet and then chorus. The young man is torn between staying in a living situation he is accustomed to, and leaving on a very uncertain journey on a wagon train.

“Far away. Far away. Should I go there…travel on, or should I stay? There is land there to settle. There is land there for free. It is there for those who will take it. Could be some that’s there for me. Still maybe leavin’ isn’t what is meant for me. Here, close by family, maybe here is what’s best for me”

Chorus and other soloists:  “Wagons are rollin’, soon we’ll be gone. Better come now we’re movin’ on…Now, join the wagon train. Nothin’ to lose and a world to gain. Come, ’cause you need to go. Pioneer time to go…”

Orchestral & Choral Version

Piano & Choral Version*

*Original Cast CD recording from August 1993:
Joy Bechtler, Soprano
Polly Kopituk, Mezzo-Soprano
David Ronis, Tenor
Martin Hargrove, Bass
Eric Houghton, Piano/Composer