WHEN IT'S SPRINGTIME IN ALASKA
(Tillman Franks)

Johnny Horton - 1958
Hank Snow - 1963
Johnny Cash - 1964
Roy Drusky - 1965
Claude King - 1968



I mushed from Fort Barren through a blizzard of snow
Been out prospectin' for two years or so
Pulled into Fairbanks, the city was a boon
So I took a little stroll to the Red Dog Saloon

As I walked in the door the music was clear
The purtiest voice I had heard in two years
The song she was singin' made a man's blood run cold
When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below

(When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below)

It was red headed Lil who was singin' so sweet
I reached down and took the snowpacks off my feet
I reached for the gal who was singin' the tune
We did the Eskimo hop all around the saloon

Where the cariboo crawl and the grizzly bear hug
We did our dance on a Kodiac rug
The song she kept singin' made a man's blood run cold
When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below

I was as innocent as I could be
I didn't know Lil was big Ed's wife to be
He took out his knife and he gave it a throw
When it's springtime in Alaska I'll be six feet below

(When it's springtime in Alaska he'll be six feet below)







(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - May 2011)