Yukon Quest by Ruthstrom and Robertson

Yukon Quest - song - won a YQ song contest back in the early 1990's.
On the album, "Out of the shadows" by David Ruthstrom and Jeannie Robertson 1995 (rare)
Ruthstrom and Robertson

Haven't heard about R&R in about a decade - would like to hear any news.

Lyrics:
It's twenty below, out here
In the snow,
But it's fifty below deep inside me
my heart feels as cold
As the Yukon River flow
Whose frozen memories remind me
Of the ones who carried the mail
Down these trails, singin'
We ain't chainin' up,
We're drivin' on, boys,
We ain't chainin' up
We're drivin' on.

(Chorus)
And here's to the snow-blind heroes,
Frontier pioneers- all crazy at best
Who challenge the country
'Cross the Northwest,
Out on the Yukon Quest,
Out on the Yukon Quest.

My team is "tough-tires" and Strong,
We've trained hard and long
For the slowest is as fast as we'll run.
In that cut-band downstream,
Sleepin' cold, I dreamed
Of the red lantern waitin' when I'm done.
But if it's Fairbanks or Whitehorse
My team will take me home,
Cuz we ain't chainin' up,
We're drivin' on, boys,
We ain't chainin' up
We're drivin' on.

(Chorus)
A thousand reasons why
These volunteers and I,
Are out here on
These Northern Parallels.
When it's all said and done,
Our race has just begun,
And the legends of
The Midnight Sun will tell
Of the ones who came
To challenge themselves, singin'
We ain't chainin' up,
We're drivin' on, boys,
We ain't chainin' up
We're drivin' on.

(Chorus)
And here's to the ones
Who challenge themselves -
Out on the Yukon Quest boys,
Out on the Yukon Quest.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheYukonQuest

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ruthstrom
• Robertson
• Yukon
• Quest
• Dog
• Sled
• Race
• Fairbanks
• Whitehorse
• Alaska
• Territory
• YQ
• folk

[teejtj48]

Thanks for loading this, Khevron. And so good to have the update about them. The long nights in Fairbanks singing along with these two are some of my best memories!

[khevron]

@teejtj48

I recall seeing them at the old Westmark... and think about them every Yukon Quest.

[OlinMurrell]

David and Jeannie are currently off the road for at least a while. I last talked to David a little less than a year back. Jeannie took a job as a regional manager with Holland America and he was working to rehab their house near Austin, TX. I had a song on that album... "I'm Still Painting the Town," and am still thankful David recorded it. Good friends that I don't see anywhere near often enough.

[khevron]

@OlinMurrell

Thanks for the update! - good to hear they're okay. If they tour we'd like to see them in Alaska again. If they need a web-site, let me know (Gratis).

Painting the town - Great song! - and David sings it so well, especially live.

-Don

[thekritter]

Wonderful to find David and Jeannie's song here on YouTube - I used to see them everytime they came through Austin & played at Chelsea Street Pub for several years while traveling between their place at Rockport & then north to Colorado & Alaska. I have their CD on my iPod/iPhone/iPad & listen to it often. I have missed seeing them & am glad to hear they are well. Give David and Jeannie my regards & let them know they are missed - Kirk Kridner

[davepeltoncox]

Accidently stumbled upon this and wanted to say hello. I have known David & Jeannie for more than 25 years and remember when he was writing this (on the beaches of Texas lol) and wanted to say hello to Olin as well ... one of my Kerrville family I haven't seen for a while :( and like everyone else, I don't get to see David & Jeannie as often as I'd like. We did have some good times in CO though when they came through from time to time and I try to keep up by email. ~Sandy P-C

[eternalbsbpride]

Glad to see this finally hit YouTube! I befriended David and Jeannie from when they used to do AAA Travel Shows with Holland America - Yukon Quest is one of my all-time favorite songs. Great people and great singers! :-)

[patrickcashley]

So great to see this up on YouTube! I too listened to them in Farmington NM while growing up. It was wonderful to have them as a musical influence in my life. I miss you David and Jennie!

[Chief420Ir0nLungs]

I live in Farmington NM and listened to David and Jeannie for yrs. My kids grew up listening to these wonderful people.I so miss seeing and hearing them.Thank you for the info.I am glad they are doing well.Sandy Solga

[docvelocity]

WOW! This has brought back such great memories of nights at Clink's singing with Dave and Jeannie! I was fortunate to get to know them during my short 2 years in Alaska 90-92. They are great folks!

-Dr. Rick

[Halarky]

I'm also glad to hear they're ok. It's been many years since I've seen them - we used to hang out whenever they were in Fairbanks. Many good times throwing darts at the Botel, or spending time at Circle Hot Springs.

[OlinMurrell]

I'll try to give him a call when I can figure out where I stashed the contact info and let him know this tune's up on YouTube. Glad you liked my tune. Thanks for the kind words.