Sweetwater Music

Sam Cardon

The most exciting and rewarding part of composing music for film is the process of creating the "Main Theme" which, if it is done properly, will distill the film to its emotional and spiritual essence. Lee Groberg had a very clear vision of what the music should do in "Sweetwater Rescue." He wanted it to be simple (not simplistic) raw and authentic, yet elegant and poignant. He wanted to make sure that the music wasn't manipulative - that it be part of the experience but not crowd what was already in the stories themselves.

To achieve authenticity I went to a familiar source - the brilliant (and blind) 17th century harpist Turlough O'Carolan who composed so many heartbreaking melodies that continue to stand the test of time. O'Carolan has the rare gift of creating the bittersweet and melancholy but always with a generous sense of hope. His melody, "O'Carolan's Quarrel" (that oddly enough had something to do with a dispute with his landlady over rent) has that wonderful heartbreaking quality. It seemed perfect to capture the emotion of the epic struggle of the Latter Day Saints who made their way west too late in the season and suffered dire consequences.

In yet another effort to achieve the authentic, Lee and I went to New York to enlist the help of the peerless musicians, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason - famous for their contributions to Ken Burn's "The Civil War" soundtrack among many others. They brought with them a keen understanding and love for traditional music of the British Isles, Scandanavia and Early America and that love is evident in every note. Much thanks to them for their willingness to lend their unique gifts to this soundtrack.

We hope that this soundtrack is as rewarding to listen to as it was to create. Don't listen for soaring violins and pounding timpani. We hope that the understatement will be the right statement.

Because the sacrifice of those involved in the "Sweetwater Rescue" experience resonates with so many who are descendants (or at least beneficiaries) of the Willie and Martin experience, Lee has chosen to include pieces of music by a variety of composers inspired by the same experience that, while not featured in the film, seems to capture the same sense of loss and hope.

Lee Groberg

This music soundtrack represents not only the carefully crafted musical arrangements of Sam Cardon, but also the additional selections from other talented composers and performers. Together, they have captured the unique spirit of this story; of those who chose to walk to Zion to gather with their fellow saints and who paid the ultimate price in that quest. This music is dedicated to their memory. Lee Groberg

Music Soundtrack

1. Sweetwater Theme: Based on “O’Carolan’s Quarrel” by Turlough O’Carolan, a blind Irish harpist of the 17th century. Arranged by Sam Cardon, featuring Craig Miner - banjo, Daron Bradford - flute.
2. Prayer of the Walking Child: by David Tinney, sung by David Tinney from the album He Guideth Me.
3. Trail Seasoned Men: Sam Cardon, featuring Craig Miner - banjo.
4. Requiem For Rocky Ridge: O’Carolan/Cardon, featuring Sam Cardon - piano.
5. Walk the Path of Faith: Emily Christensen, sung by Emily Christensen.
6. Second Wife’s Lament: Neil Gow, arr. Ungar and Mason, featuring Jay Unger - fiddle, Molly Mason - guitar.
7. Hallowed Ground: Come, Come, Ye Saints traditional, arr. Cardon, featuring Sam Cardon - piano from the album Bring Them In.
8. Angels From Heaven - Sweetwater Theme: featuring Jay Ungar - fiddle, Craig Miner - banjo.
9. The Handcart Song: pioneer folk song, arr. Dowdle, featuring Michael Dowdle - guitar.
10. Boda Waltz: traditional Swedish tune dedicated to the memory of the Scandinavian handcart emigrants, featuring Jay Ungar - fiddle, Molly Mason - guitar.
11. Waiting For the Weather to Break: based on “Lord Calloway” by O’Carolan. Arr. Cardon.
12. The Gathering: Solstice Hymn, traditional, arr. Ungar, featuring Jay Ungar - fiddle, Molly Mason - bass.
13. Sweetwater Theme: O’Carolan, featuring Sam Cardon - piano.
14. Light Up The Land: Greg Ericksen, dedicated to the Willie Handcart Company, featuring Mike Ericksen and Todd Woodbury - guitar.
15. Crossing the Sweetwater River: Cardon, featuring Daron Bradford - Irish Whistle.
16. Unlikely Pioneers: based on “Lord Calloway” by O’Carolan.
17. Sweetwater Theme - Closing Credits: O’Carolan, featuring Monte Belknap - violin.