Transcript of text on the lead sheet:

"AT THE PAHREAH [a Utah river] I HAV NOW LIVE LONGER THAN ECCPECTED THO I AM NOW ILL. -- I DO NOT FEAR ATHORTY FOR THE TIME IS CLOSING AND AM WILLING TO TAK THE BLAME FOR THE FANCHER. -- COL. DANE -- MAJ. HIGBY. AND ME -- ON ORDER FROM PRES YOUNG THRO GEO SMITH TOOK PART -- I TRUST IN GOD -- I HAVE NO FEAR -- DEATH HOLD NO TEROR -- LORD HAV MERCI ON THIS RESLESS SOUL. BY MY OWN HAND -- J.D. LEE -- JAN 11-1872"