The singer-songwriter, Dan Fogelberg, wrote many "story songs" about people and places that inspired him.  One of those story songs is "Sutter's Mill."  It is about the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, a discovery that would change California forever.  It also changed many lives and families forever.  Some for good.  Some for bad.  Click on this YouTube link and enjoy Dan Fogelberg's "Sutter's Mill."

Watch and listen.  Is this "musical history" accurate?  What parts of this song's lyrics are accurate?  Which ones are not?  Which ones are probably true, but can't be proven for certain?

Now it's your turn.  
Write a poem or a song about the discovery of gold in California.  You can make up new words to an old song.  Or you could write the words and the music.

Another group, New Riders of the Purple Sage also wrote a song about Sutter's Mill.  You can hear it on this YouTube link.