Sweet Betsy from Pike

Do you remember sweet Betsy from Pike

Crossed the big mountain with her lover Ike

With two yoke of oxen a big yaller dog

A tall Shanghai rooster and one spottled hog

Hoodle dang polly dido hoodle dang polly day

They soon reached the desert where Betsy give out

Down on the sand she lay rolling about

Ike he gazed at her with sobs and with sighs

Quoth he, "Get up Betsy you'll get sand in your eyes."

Hoodle dang polly dido hoodle dang polly day

The Shanghai run off and the cattle all died

The last piece of bacon that mornin' was fried

Ike got discouraged and Betsy got mad

The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderf'ly sad

Hoodle dang polly dido hoodle dang polly day

Long Ike and sweet Betsy attended a dance

Ike wore a pair of his Pike County pants

Sweet Betsy was dressed up in ribbons and rings

Quoth Ike, "You're an angel, but where are your wings?"

Hoodle dang polly dido hoodle dang polly day

A miner come up says will you dance with me

I will you old hoss if you don't make too free

And I'll tell ya the reason da you want ta know why

Doggone you I'm chuck full of strong alkalai

Hoodle dang polly dido hoodle dang polly day.

• Artist:Burl Ives