Misc Traditional – Sweet Betsy From Pike (Guitar)
Key
-
Versions
(2)
Guitar
Ukulele
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Speed:
1.0x
Chords
[Verse 1]
G D G Did you ever hear tell of Sweet Betsy from Pike, Em D Who crossed the wide mountains with her lover Ike, G C G Two yoke of cattle, a large yeller dog D G A tall Shanghai rooster, and a one-spotted hog.
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 2]
G D G They swam the wide rivers and crossed the tall peaks, Em D And camped on the prairie for weeks upon weeks. G C G Starvation and cholera, hard work and slaughter-- D G They reached California 'spite of hell and high water.
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 3]
G D G One evening quite early they camped on the Platte, Em D Twas near by the road on a green shady flat. G C G Betsy, sore-footed, lay down to repose-- D G With wonder Ike gazed on that Pike County rose.
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 4]
G D G Out on the prairie one bright, starry night, Em D They broke out the whiskey, and Betsy got tight. G C G She sang and she shouted and she danced o'er the plain, D G And she showed her bare arse to the whole wagon train.
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 5]
G D G The Injuns came down in a thundering horde, Em D And Betsy was scared they would scalp her adored. G C G So under the wagon-bed Betsy did crawl D G And she fought off the Injuns with musket and ball.
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 6]
G D G The wagon broke down with a terrible crash, Em D And out on the prairie rolled all sorts of trash. G C G A few little baby-clothes, done up with care, D G Looked rather suspicious, but all on the square.
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 7]
G D G They stopped at Salt Lake to inquire of the way, Em D When Brigham declared that Sweet Betsy should stay. G C G Betsy got frightened and ran like a deer, D G While Brigham stood pawing the ground like a steer.
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 8]
G D G The alkali desert was burning and bare, Em D And Isaac's soul shrank from the death that lurked there. G C G "Dear old Pike County, I'll go back to you"-- D G Says Betsy, "You'll go by yourself if you do!"
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 9]
G D G They soon reached the desert, where Betsy gave out, Em D And down in the sand she lay rolling about. G C G Ike in great wonder looked on in surprise, D G Saying, "Betsy, get up, you'll get sand in your eyes."
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 10]
G D G Sweet Betsy got up in a great deal of pain. Em D She declared she'd go back to Pike County again. G C G Ike gave a sigh, and they fondly embraced, D G And they traveled along with his arm round her waist.
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 11]
G D G The Shanghai ran off, and the cattle all died, Em D That morning the last piece of bacon was fried. G C G Ike got discouraged, Betsy got mad, D G The dog drooped his tail and looked woefully sad.
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 12]
G D G They suddenly stopped on a very high hill, Em D With wonder looked down upon old Placerville. G C G Ike said to Betsy, as he cast his eyes down, D G "Sweet Betsy, my darling, we've got to Hangtown."
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 13]
G D G Long Ike and Sweet Betsy attended a dance. Em D Ike wore a pair of his Pike County pants. G C G Betsy was covered with ribbons and rings. D G Says Ike, "You're an angel, but where is your wings?"
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 14]
G D G A miner said, "Betsy, will you dance with me?" Em D "I will that, old hoss, if you don't make too free. G C G Don't dance me hard, do you want to know why? D G Doggone you, I'm chock-full of strong alkali."
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 15]
G D G This Pike County couple got married, of course, Em D But Ike became jealous, and obtained a divorce. G C G Betsy, well-satisfied, said with a shout, D G "Goodby, you big lummox, I'm glad you backed out!"
[Chorus]
N.C
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.