Lyrics
Now don’t you remember sweet Betsy from Pike
Who crossed the big mountains with her lover Ike
Two yoke of oxen a big yeller dog
A tall Shanghai rooster and one spotted hog
One evenin’ quite early they camped on the plat
Down by the road on a green shady flat
Where Betsy got tired and lay down to repose
And Ike he just gazed on his Pike County rose
Well they soon reached the desert where Betsy gave out
Down in the sand she lay rollin’ about
While Ike in great tears looked on in surprise
He said, “Betsy get up, you’ll get sand in your eyes”
Well the Shanghai ran off and the cattle all died
The last piece of bacon that mornin’ was fried
Ike he got discouraged and Betsy got mad
The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderfully sad
Well a miner said, “Betsy will you dance with me”
“I will now old Hoss if you don’t make too free
But don’t dance me hard do you want to know why
Doggone you I’m chocked full of strong alkali”
Ike and sweet Betsy got married ofcourse
But Ike gettin’ jealous obtained the divorce
Betsy well satisfied said with a shout
“Goodbye you big lummox, I’m glad you backed out”