Johnny Cash - Sweet Betsy from Pike: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Sweet Betsy from Pike" on your guitar with our chord guide. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

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

One evenin' quite early they camped on the plat
Down by the road on a green shady flat
Where Betsy got tired and lay down to repose
And Ike he just gazed on his Pike County Road

Well they soon reached the desert where Betsy gave out
Down in the sand she lay rollin' about
While Ike in great tears looked on in surprise
Said Betsy get up you'll get sand in your eyes

Well the Shanghai ran 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 wonderfully sad

Well a miner said Betsy will you dance with me
I will now ol' hoss if you don't make to free
But don't dance me hard do you want to know why
Doggone you I'm chalked full of strong alkali

Ike and Sweet Betsy got married of course
But Ike gettin' jealous obtained a divorce
Betsy well satisfied said with a shout
Good-bye you big lummox I'm glad you backed out

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Guitar Chord Diagrams

A

Guitar chord A

A7

Guitar chord A7

C

Guitar chord C

D7

Guitar chord D7

G

Guitar chord G

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "Sweet Betsy from Pike" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Sweet Betsy from Pike" by Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash Song List