Play/Download Music File Lesley Nelson |
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| The tune is based on an early 19th century British song Villikins and His Dinah. It is also a variant of the Scottish melody Lord Randall.
Sweet Betsey was very popular during the Gold Rush. |
Oh, do you remember Sweet Betsey from Pike Who crossed the wide prairie with her lover Ike? With two yoke of oxen, a big yellow dog, A tall Shanghai rooster, and one spotted hog. Hoodle dang, fol-de-dye do, hoodle dang, fol-de day. Out on the prairie one bright starry night, They broke out the whisky and Betsey got tight; She sang and she shouted and danced o'er the plain, And made a great show for the whole wagon train. Hoodle dang, fol-de-dye do, hoodle dang, fol-de day. The Injuns came down in a wild yelling horde, And Betsey was skeered they would scalp her adored; Behind the front wagon wheel Betsey did crawl, And fought off the Injuns with musket and ball. Hoodle dang, fol-de-dye do, hoodle dang, fol-de day. They soon reached the desert, where Betsey gave out, And down in the sand she lay rolling about; While Ike in great terror looked on in surprise, Saying, "Get up now, Betsey, you'll get sand in your eyes." Hoodle dang, fol-de-dye do, hoodle dang, fol-de day. The wagon tipped over with a terrible crash, And out on the prairie rolled all sorts of trash; A few little baby clothes done up with care Looked rather suspicious - though 'twas all on the square. Hoodle dang, fol-de-dye do, hoodle dang, fol-de day. The Shanghai ran off and the cattle all died, The last piece of bacon that morning was fried; Poor Ike got discouraged, and Betsy got mad, The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderfully sad. Hoodle dang, fol-de-dye do, hoodle dang, fol-de day. They swam the wide rivers and cross the tall peaks, And camped on the prairie for weeks upon weeks, Starvation and cholera and hard work and slaughter, They reached California spite of hell and high water. Hoodle dang, fol-de-dye do, hoodle dang, fol-de day. Long Ike and sweet Betsey attended a dance, Where Ike wore a pair of his Pike County pants; Sweet Betsey was covered with ribbons and rings. Said Ike, "You're an angel, but where are your wings?" Hoodle dang, fol-de-dye do, hoodle dang, fol-de day. A miner said, "Betsey, will you dance with me?" "I will that, 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 chock full of strong alkali." Hoodle dang, fol-de-dye do, hoodle dang, fol-de day. Long Ike, and sweet Betsey got married of course, But Ike, getting jealous, obtained a divorce; And Betsey, well satisfied, said with a shout, "Good-by, you big lummux, I'm glad you backed out." Hoodle dang, fol-de-dye do, hoodle dang, fol-de day. |
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| From
The American Song Treasury and Best Loved Songs of the American People See Bibliography for full information. |
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