You know women had it tough too movin' West The broad prairies the thirst the hunger there were just about too much to believe Especially for for a young lady born and bred back East Yet with all the troubles and the seemingly endless miles Across the great wastes the plains the deserts Someone saw fit to throw a little human interest a little humor On a long hard almost unbelievable trip Made by two young lovers sweet Betsy and Ike from Pike County Missouri
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 a tall Shanghai rooster and one spottled 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 rose [ banjo ] 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 wonderfully sad [ harmonica ] 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
