[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.