they sang as they walked

"Pioneer children sang as they walked, and walked, and walked. 

Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked.

 They washed at streams and worked and played. 

Sundays they camped and read and prayed. 

Week after week, they sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked and walked."

I remember singing this song as a young Primary child and always seemed comforted by the idealistic picture it painted of pioneer life. 

I imagined crossing the plains was as easy as strolling through the picturesque meadow above, until I watched 17 Miracles, Ephiram's Rescue... and I started to really think about what things for them were like. 

But I don't exactly think that the only purpose of this tune was to sugarcoat the hardships they faced.

They trekked through the bitter cold with chapped lips😖 and quickly dwindling food and supplies. They longed for water to quench their thirst, for sturdy working shoes, for cures of the illnesses quickly taking their friends and family. 

And they sang as they walked.

So which of the two opposing accounts was true?

What if... both could have been true?

I doubt that all of them were this way, but it seems like many smiled, sang, and prayed through their overwhelming trial.

I wonder what could happen if we did this too.

Y'all, be sure to check out my other Pioneer Day quote, and enjoy the holiday if you do have any sort of related festivities. If you could spare about 5 seconds, please follow my Pinterest account! It would mean so much.