Misc Traditional – Sweet Betsy From Pike (Ukulele)
Key
-
Versions
(2)
Guitar
Ukulele
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Speed:
1.0x
Chords
John A. Stone
Circa 1847?
[Verse 1]
G D7 G Did you ever hear tell of Sweet Betsy from Pike, A7 D Who crossed the wide mountains with her lover Ike, C G D7 G With two yoke of cattle, a large yeller dog, Em Am D7 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 D7 G They swam the wide rivers and crossed the tall peaks, A7 D And camped on the prairie for weeks upon weeks. C G D7 G Starvation and cholera, hard work and slaughter-- Em Am D7 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 D7 G One evening quite early they camped on the Platte, A7 D Twas near by the road on a green shady flat. C G D7 G Betsy, sore-footed, lay down to repose - Em Am D7 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 D7 G Out on the prairie one bright, starry night, A7 D They broke out the whiskey, and Betsy got tight. C G D7 G She sang and she shouted and she danced o'er the plain, Em Am D7 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 D7 G The Injuns came down in a thundering horde, A7 D And Betsy was scared they would scalp her adored. C G D7 G So under the wagon-bed Betsy did crawl Em Am D7 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 D7 G The wagon broke down with a terrible crash, A7 D And out on the prairie rolled all sorts of trash. C G D7 G A few little baby-clothes, done up with care, Em Am D7 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 D7 G They stopped at Salt Lake to inquire of the way, A7 D When Brigham declared that Sweet Betsy should stay. C G D7 G Betsy got frightened and ran like a deer, Em Am D7 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 D7 G The alkali desert was burning and bare, A7 D And Isaac's soul shrank from the death that lurked there. C G D7 G "Dear old Pike County, I'll go back to you" - Em Am D7 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 D7 G They soon reached the desert, where Betsy gave out, A7 D And down in the sand she lay rolling about. C G D7 G Ike in great wonder looked on in surprise, Em Am D7 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 D7 G Sweet Betsy got up in a great deal of pain. A7 D She declared she'd go back to Pike County again. C G D7 G Ike gave a sigh, and they fondly embraced, Em Am D7 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 D7 G The Shanghai ran off, and the cattle all died, A7 D That morning the last piece of bacon was fried. C G D7 G Ike got discouraged, Betsy got mad, Em Am D7 G The dog drooped his tail and looked wonderfully sad.
[Chorus]
N.C.
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.
[Verse 12]
G D7 G They suddenly stopped on a very high hill, A7 D With wonder looked down upon old Placerville. C G D7 G Ike said to Betsy, as he cast his eyes down, Em Am D7 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 D7 G Long Ike and Sweet Betsy attended a dance. A7 D Ike wore a pair of his Pike County pants. C G D7 G Betsy was covered with ribbons and rings. Em Am D7 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 D7 G A miner said, "Betsy, will you dance with me?" A7 D "I will that, old hoss, if you don't make too free. C G D7 G Don't dance me hard, do you want to know why? Em Am D7 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 D7 G This Pike County couple got married, of course, A7 D But Ike became jealous, and obtained a divorce. C G D7 G Betsy, well-satisfied, said with a shout, Em Am D7 G "Goodbye, you big lummox, I'm glad you backed out!"
[Chorus]
N.C.
Singing too-ra-li-oo-ra-li-oo-ra-li-ay.