1. Sweet Betsy From Pike

Trad., adapted & arranged by Robin Greenstein


Guitar, Banjo, Vocals - Robin
Bass - Barry Weisenfeld
Fiddle- Dan Collins


A popular song from the Gold Rush days. Often Betsy’s “lover” is changed to her “brother” since it wasn’t seemly for unmarried couples to travel together. There are all kinds of extra verses to this fun song (some of which are quite randy) which shows the gumption of the women (and men) taking off to head west and work the Gold Rush.


Sweet Betsy From Pike

Oh do you remember Sweet Betsy from Pike
Who crossed the wide prairie with her lover Ike?
With 2 yoke of oxen, a big yaller dog
A tall shanghai rooster and 1 spotted hog

REFRAIN:
Hoodle dang fol de dIe do, Hoodle dang fol dee day
Hoddle dang fol de dIe do, Hoddle dang fol dee day

Twas early one evening they camped on the Platte
By the side of the road on a shady green flat
Sweet Betsy, sore footed, lay down in repose
While Ike kept the watch o'er his Pike County Rose, Refrain

They soon reached the desert where Betsy gave out
And down in the sand she lay rolling about
When Ike saw Sweet Betsy he said with surprise,
" You'd better get up you'll get sand in your eyes," Refrain

Said Ike, "Old Pike County, I'll go back to you,"
Said Betsy,"You'll go by yourself if you do,"
There's no time for pleasure and no time for rest
In spite of our troubles we'll keep heading west," Refrain

They camped on the parry for weeks upon weeks
They swam the wide rivers and crossed the tall peaks
And soon they were swarming in nuggets of gold
You may not believe it but that's what we're told, Refrain