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Sweet Betsy from Pike 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, tall Shanghai rooster
And one spotted hog
One evenin' quite early they camped on the Platte
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 wonderful 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 of course
But Ike gettin' jealous obtained the divorce
Betsy well satisfied said with a shout
Goodbye you big lummox I'm glad you backed out
Who crossed the big mountains with her lover Ike
Two yoke of oxen, a big yeller dog, tall Shanghai rooster
And one spotted hog
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
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
The last piece of bacon that mornin' was fried
Ike he got discouraged and Betsy got mad
The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderful sad
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
But Ike gettin' jealous obtained the divorce
Betsy well satisfied said with a shout
Goodbye you big lummox I'm glad you backed out
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Ike is a bit of a fool, a rube, a figure of fun, while Betsy is a hard woman, tough and a match for any man. Their poor luck is a matter of Ike's haplessness, and eventually Betsy tires of him, though he's sort of a sweet loser, and kicks him out.