SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE
"The Ballads of the True West" 1965

KEY: F 

INTRO harmonica: F  C  F  G  C  F  Bb  F  C  F

KEY CHANGE: G
G                            D          G
Now don't you remember Sweet Betsy from Pike
                                   A         D
Who crossed the big mountains with her lover Ike
G                C             G
Two yoke of oxen, a big yeller dog
                            D           G
A tall Shing-Hi 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 Road

BANJO: G  D  G  A  D  G  C  G  D  G

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
Said Betsy get up, you'll get sand in your eyes

Well the Shing-Hi ran off and the cattle all died
The last piece of bacon that mornin' was fried
Ike got discouraged and Betsy got mad
The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderfully sad

KEY CHANGE: F

HARMONICA: F  C  F  G  C  F  Bb  F  C  F

KEY CHANGE: G
Well a miner said Betsy will you dance with me
I will now ol' hoss if you don't make to free
But don't dance me hard do you want to know why
Dog-gone you I'm chalked full of strong alkali

Ike and Sweet Betsy got married of course
But Ike gettin' jealous obtained a divorce
Betsy well satisfied said with a shout
Good-bye you big lumux I'm glad you backed out

KEY CHANGE: F

HARMONICA: F  C  F  G  C  F  Bb  F  C  F