The Old Chisholm Trail
Traditional
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The Chisholm Trail was one of the major routes used for driving cattle from Texas to Kansas, commencing after the U.S. Civil War. It was originally marked by Jesse Chisholm, and connected a southern trading post he owned near the Red River to a second trading post he owned near Kansas City. It was not used as a cattle trail by Chisholm, who died in 1868. The trail, which actually has a number of feeder trails, was ultimately expanded both south and north to accommodate cattle drives, and saw some 3 million head of cattle traverse the route between 1867 and 1872 alone. The trail fell into disuse in 1882.
Cowboys working the cattle drives learned to sing when herding cattle so that their compatriots would know where they were; thus, avoiding driving stampeding cattle at fellow cowboys. The cowboys also sang just to keep themselves awake during long dreary night rides and watches. "The Old Chisholm Trail" was very popular with cowboys, who would make up their own verses for the song. Some sources claim there are literally thousands of verses to the song. - Licensing
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