Written by Jimmie Driftwood
G D7 G Now don't you remember Sweet Betsy from Pike A7 D7 Who crossed the big mountains with her lover Ike G C G Two yoke of oxen a big yeller dog D7 G A tall Shanghai rooster and one spotted hog D7 G One evenin' quite early they camped on the plat A7 D7 Down by the road on a green shady flat G C G Where Betsy got tired and lay down to repose D7 G And Ike he just gazed on his Pike County Road D7 G Well they soon reached the desert where Betsy gave out A7 D7 Down in the sand she lay rollin' about G C G While Ike in great tears looked on in surprise D7 G Said Betsy get up you'll get sand in your eyes D7 G Well the Shanghai ran off and the cattle all died A7 D7 The last piece of bacon that mornin' was fried G C G Ike got discouraged and Betsy got mad D7 G The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderfully sad D7 G Well a miner said Betsy will you dance with me A7 D7 I will now ol' hoss if you don't make to free G C G But don't dance me hard do you want to know why D7 G Doggone you I'm chalked full of strong alkali D7 G Ike and Sweet Betsy got married of course A7 D7 But Ike gettin' jealous obtained a divorce G C G Betsy well satisfied said with a shout D7 G Good-bye you big lummox I'm glad you backed out