Charles Mackay. Our Way Across the Mountain Ho! Composed & Respectfully Dedicated to M.M. Noah, Esq. As a Slight Token of Grateful Remembrance of Early Kindness to a Stranger, by Henry Russell.

Henry Russell (1812-1900) was an English pianist, baritone singer and composer. Born into a distinguished Jewish family, Russell was a great-nephew of Chief Rabbi Solomon Hirschell. The composer lived in the United States from 1835 to 1841, whereupon he returned to England and spent the remainder of his artistic career producing musical extravaganzas. The present song is one of many instances of collaboration between lyricist Charles Mackay and musical composer Henry Russell. Other songs of theirs are: “There’s a Good Time Coming,” “Cheer, Boys, Cheer,” and “To the West.” Mordecai Manuel Noah (1785-1851) was one of the most important figures of his time. He was a person of many accomplishments: lawyer, newspaper editor, playwright, diplomat, politician, judge and major activist for Jewish causes. Noah commanded the respect of four U. S. Presidents: Adams, Madison, Jefferson and Jackson. It has been said that to the Jews of his day he was the quintessential American, and to Americans, he was the representative Jew.