Lyrics: desert pete

Desert Pete

Artist: The Kingston Trio (peak Billboard position # 33 in 1963)

Words and Music by Billy Edd Wheeler

I was travellin?West a buckskin on my way to a cattle run

Cross a little cactus desert under a hot blisterin?sun

I was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stump

But I tell ya I just couldn抰 believe it when I saw that water pump

I took it to be a mirage at first, it抣l fool a thirsty man

Then I saw a note stuck in a bakin?powder can

揟his pump is old? the note began, 揵ut she works so give抮 a try?揑 put a new sucker washer in 慹r, you may find the leather dry?

揧ou抳e got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe?揧ou抳e got to give of yourself 慺ore you抮e worthy to receive?揇rink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet?揕eave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete?

揧eah, you抣l have to prime the pump, work that handle like there抯 a fire?揢nder that rock you抣l find some water I left in a bitters jar?揘ow there抯 just enough to prime it with so dontcha go drinkin?first?揧ou just pour it in and pump like mad, buddy, you抣l quench your thirst?

揧ou抳e got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe?揧ou抳e got to give of yourself 慺ore you抮e worthy to receive?揇rink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet?揕eave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete?

Well I found that jar and I tell ya nothin?was ever prettier to my eye

And I was tempted strong to drink it, cuz that pump looked mighty dry

But the note went on 揾ave faith my friend, there抯 water down below?揧ou got to give until you get桰抦 the one who ought to know?So I poured in the jar and I started pumpin?and I heard a beautiful sound

Of water bubblin?and splashin?up outta that hole in the ground

I took off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that cool refreshing treat

I thank the Lord and thank the pump and I thank old Desert Pete

揧ou抳e got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe?揧ou抳e got to give of yourself 慺ore you抮e worthy to receive?揇rink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet?揕eave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete?

揇rink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet?揕eave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete?

Transcribed by Ronald E. Hontz

ronhontz@worldnet.att.net