Dale Evans with Roy Rogers Dale Evans with Buttermilk
"Lyrics\Chords"
Happy Trails To You (written by Dale Evans)
"Sound Files"
Click here to hear midi file
The Story Behind "Happy Trails" Every cowboy had a theme song. A song heard as the dust settled and heros drifted west towards the sinking sun. Some were better than others, but few were as good as "Happy Trails." "Happy Trails" was written by Dale Evans in 1950, while preparing for a radio show. Dale decided Roy needed a theme song and since he penned all his autographs with "Trails of Happiness" or "Happy Trails, Roy Rogers", the title came easily. Scribbling on an envelope, Dale wrote the famous lyrics and taught the medley to Roy and the Sons of the Pioneers forty minutes before show time. What came across the radio that night gave America's favorite singing cowboy a theme song and a nation a lifetime of inspiration.
Short Biography Though Dale Evans is more famous for being married to singing cowboy star Roy Rogers, she is an accomplished performer in her own right. She was born Frances Smith in Uvalde, Texas on October 31, 1912. She spent her teen years in Arkansas and married at sixteen. The marriage was short-lived, however, and she soon embarked on a career as a pop singer. She sang with the Anson Weeks Orchestra, appeared on numerous radio programs, and held a regular spot on the CBS News And Rhythm Show. Dale Evans married Roy Rogers in 1947, and the couple often appeared together on the big screen. Dale's film credits include "Orchestra Wives" (1942), "Swing Your Partner" (1943), "Casanova In Burlesque" (1944), "Utah" (1945), "Bells Of Rosarita" (1945), "My Pal Trigger" (1946), "Apache Pass" (1947), "Slippy McGee" (1948), "Susanna Pass" (1949), "Twilight In The Sierras" (1950), and "Pals Of The Golden West" (1951). Lately, Dale's work in music and television has been more in the gospel vein, and she's written many books of the inspirational type.