Leon Payne, as performed by Johnny Horton
Once there was a mountain man who couldn't write his name
Yet he deserves a front row seat in history's hall of fame
He forgot more about the Indians than we will ever know
He spoke the language of the Sioux... the Black Foot and the Crow
(Let's drink to old Jim Bridger, yes lift your glasses high)
As long as there's a USA don't let his memory die
(That he was making history never once occured to him)
But I doubt if we'd a been here if it weren't for men like Jim
He spoke with General Custer and said listen Yellow Hair
The Sioux have a great nation so treat 'em fair and square
Sit in on their war councils, don't laugh away their pride
But Custer didn't listen, at Little Big Horn Custer died
(Let's drink to old Jim Bridger, yes lift your glasses high)
As long as there's a USA don't let his memory die
(That he was making history never once occured to him)
But I doubt if we'd a been here if it weren't for men like Jim
There's poems and there's legends that tell of Carson's fame
Yet compared to Jim Bridger Kit was civilized and tame
These words are straight from Carson's lips if you place such store by him
If there's a man who knows this God forsaken land it's Jim
(Let's drink to old Jim Bridger, yes lift your glasses high)
As long as there's a USA don't let his memory die
(That he was making history never once occured to him)
But I doubt if we'd a been here if it weren't for men like Jim