[Verse 1]
Oh, don't you remember Sweet Betsy from Pike
Who crossed the big mountains with her lover, Ike
With two yoke of cattle, a large yellow dog
A tall Shanghai rooster and one spotted hog?

[Chorus]
Saying, "Goodbye, Pike County, farewell for a while
Goodbye, Pike County, farewell for a while
Goodbye, Pike County, farewell for a while
We'll come back again when we panned out our pile"

[Verse 2]
One evening quite early they camped on the plat
Was near by the road on a green shady flat
Where Betsy quite tired lay down to repose
While with wonder Ike gazed on his Pike County rose

[Verse 3]
They soon reached the desert where Betsy give out
And down in the sand she lay rolling about
While Ike in great terrors looked on in surprise
Sayin', "Betsy get up, you'll get sand in your eyes"

[Verse 4]
Sweet Besty got up in a great deal of pain
And declared she'd go back to Pike County again
Then Ike heaved a sigh, and they fondly embraced
And she traveled along with his arm 'round her waist
[Chorus]
Saying, "Goodbye, Pike County, farewell for while
Goodbye, Pike County, farewell for a while
Goodbye, Pike County, farewell for a while
We'll come back again when we panned out our pile"

[Verse 5]
The Shanghai run off, and the cattle all died
The last piece of bacon one morning was fried
Poor Ike got discouraged, and Betsy got mad
The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderful sad

[Verse 6]
One morning they climbed up a very high hill
And with wonder looked down into old Placerville
Ike shouted and said as he cast his eyes down
"Sweet Betsy, my darling, we've got to Hangtown"

[Verse 7]
Long Ike and Sweet Betsy attended a dance
Where Ike wore a pair of his Pike County pants
Sweet Betsy was covered with ribbons and rings
Said, "Ike, you're an angel but where are your wings?"

[Verse 8]
A miner said, "Betsy will you dance with me?"
"I will, Ol' Hoss, if you don't make too free
But don't dance me hardly, you oughta know why
Doggone you, I'm chock-full of strong alkali"
[Verse 9]
Long Ike and sweet Betsy got married, of course
But Ike getting jealous obtained a divorce
And Betsy, well satisfied said, with a shout
"Goodbye, you big lummox, I'm glad you've backed out"

[Chorus]
Saying, "Goodbye, Dear Isaac, farewell for a while
Goodbye, Dear Isaac, farewell for a while
Goodbye, Dear Isaac, farewell for a while
But come back in time to replenish my pile"