Sweet Betsy from Pike

by Johnny Cash

From the album: Sings the Ballads of the True West

Track 21 of 26 on Sings the Ballads of the True West (1965).

Duration: 3:16

Sings the Ballads of the True West cover art

Lyrics for Sweet Betsy from Pike

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 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 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 wonderfully 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.

Listen On

More from Sings the Ballads of the True West

  1. Hiawatha's Vision
  2. The Road to Kaintuck
  3. The Shifting, Whispering Sands, Pt. I
  4. Narration 1
  5. The Ballad of Boot Hill
  6. I Ride an Old Paint
  7. Narration 2
  8. Hardin Wouldn't Run
  9. Narration 3
  10. Mister Garfield
  11. The Streets of Laredo
  12. Narration 4
  13. Johnny Reb
  14. A Letter from Home
  15. Bury Me Not On the Lone Prairie
  16. Mean as Hell
  17. Sam Hall
  18. 25 Minutes to Go
  19. The Blizzard
  20. Narration 5
  21. Sweet Betsy from Pike
  22. Green Grow the Lilacs
  23. Narration 6
  24. Stampede
  25. The Shifting, Whispering Sands, Pt. II
  26. Reflections