The Wiyot threw their shells away
Until that pile became a mound
And that became their hallowed ground
On an island in what became Humboldt Bay

Then there came some prominent men
From New England and Maritimes
They sold the island to a German
But even Robert Gunther thought it was a crime

Robert Gunther found the Wiyot dead
Axes cut them to the bone
They didn't know the county paper said
That splitting skulls in Humboldt was a rite de passage

The people sided with the axe-men toughs
The criticizers they were all run off
They called Eureka Murderville
For the women, children, old men that were killed

And in the sky above that town
A cloud of steam makes it seem darker
They didn't even put a marker
Near the paper mill and shanty oh so brown

Robert Gunther found the Wiyot dead
Axes cut them to the bone
They didn't know the county paper said
That splitting skulls in Humboldt was a rite de passage
That crossing the bar was a rite de passage