Sweet Betsy From Pike Songtext
von Pete Seeger

Oh, don′t you remember sweet Betsy from Pike,
She crossed the wide mountains with her lover Ike.
And one yoke of oxen and a big yellow dog,
A tall Shanghai rooster, and one spotted hog.

Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.
Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.

Out on the prairie one bright starry night
They broke out the whiskey and Betsy got tight,

She sang and she shouted and danced o'er the plain,
Made a great show for the whole wagon train.

Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.
Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.


They soon reached the desert where Betsy give out,
And down in the sand she lay rolling about.
Ike in great terror looked on in surprise,
Saying, "Betsy, get up, you′ll get sand in your eyes."

Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.
Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.

The wagon tipped over with a terrible crash,
And out on the prairie rolled all sorts of trash.
A few little baby things done up with care,
They looked rather suspicious, but it was all on the square.

Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.
Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.

The Shanghai run 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 di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.
Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.

One morning they climbed up a very high hill,
And with great wonder looked down into old
Placerville.
Ike shouted and said as he cast his eyes down,
"Sweet Betsy, my love, we've come to
Hangtown."

Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.
Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.

Long Ike and Sweet Betsy attended a dance.
Ike wore a pair of his Pike County pants.
Sweet Betsy was covered in ribbons and rings,
Said Ike "You're an angel, but where are your wings?"

Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.
Hoodle dang fol di die do,
Hoodle dang fol di day.