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Language
English
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public domain
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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.
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Versions

written by English

Title Performer Release date Info
listen on Internet Archive July 1928
listen on Internet Archive February 1929
November 1929
1931
September 1937 Medley
listen on Internet Archive September 1939 Medley
listen on Internet Archive October 1944
listen on Internet Archive June 1946
1947
listen on Internet Archive 1949
1950
1950
1952
1953
August 4, 1955
August 1956
1956
1957
listen on Internet Archive 1957
1958
1959
1959
listen on Internet Archive 1959
January 1960
1960
1960
1960
1961
1963
1963
1963
January 1964
January 1966
1967
The Chisholm Trail Ed McCurdy 1976 Unverified
1980
1986
1986 Medley
1987
August 21, 1990
August 17, 1993
September 12, 1995 Live
1995
August 12, 1997
2001
2001
September 10, 2002
2004
2004
2007
July 5, 2013
2013
2018