Somewhere in the very back of my mind is a movie and a song “North to Alaska” by Johnny Horton, written in 1960. I was only 9-years old and his voice was very distinctive so it must have made an impression. He also did “Sink the Bismarck” another memorable ballad of my childhood. Horton actually died in an automobile accident in November of 1960 shortly after the song was released, according to my Wikipedia source. The movie starred John Wayne and Fabian. 

“Way up North (North to Alaska)
Way up North (North to Alaska)
North to Alaska, we go North, the rush is on
North to Alaska, we go North, the rush is on”

“Big Sam left Seattle in the year of ’92
With George Pratt, his partner, and brother Billy too
They crossed the Yukon River and found the Bonanza gold
Below that old white mountain, just a little South-East of Nome
Sam crossed the Majestic mountains to the valleys far below
He talked to his team of Huskies as he mushed on through the snow
With the Northern lights a-runnin’ wild in the Land of the Midnight Sun
Yes, Sam McCord was a mighty man in the year of ’91”

“Where the river is windin’, big nuggets they’re findin’
North to Alaska, go North, the rush is on”

“Way up North (North to Alaska)
Way up North (North to Alaska)
North to Alaska, we go North, the rush is on
North to Alaska, we go North, the rush is on”

“George turned to Sam with his gold in his hand
Said, “Sam, you’re lookin’ at a lonely, lonely man
I’d trade all the gold that’s buried in this land
For one small band of gold to place on sweet little Jenny’s hand
‘Cause a man needs a woman to love him all the time
Remember, Sam, a true love is so hard to find
I’d build for my Jenny, a honeymoon home
Below that old white mountain, just a little South-East of Nome”

“Where the river is windin’, big nuggets they’re findin’
North to Alaska, go north, the rush is on
North to Alaska, go north, the rush is on”

“Way up North (North to Alaska)
Way up North (North to Alaska)
Way up North (North to Alaska)
Way up North (North to Alaska)”

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Russell Faith / Peter De Angelis / Robert P. Marcucci
North to Alaska lyrics © Mca Music Publishing, A.d.o. Universal S, Tcf Music Publishing Inc

As I was thinking about our upcoming trip to Alaska, this song came to mind – probably one of the first tributes to the 49th state that became part of the Union in 1959 along with Hawaii.  Other musical salutes included “Road to Alaska” by the Bee Gees, “Alaska and Me” by John Denver, and “Home to Alaska” by Lee Greenwood, along with movies like “Into the Wild,” “Mystery, Alaska,” “The Edge,” and “Balto.” Yes, we’re soon headed “North to Alaska.”