Desert PeteArtist: The Kingston Trio (peak Billboard position # 33 in 1963)Words and Music by Billy Edd WheelerI was travellin' West a buckskin on my way to a cattle runCross a little cactus desert under a hot blisterin' sunI was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stumpBut I tell ya I just couldn't believe it when I saw that water pumpI took it to be a mirage at first, it'll fool a thirsty manThen I saw a note stuck in a bakin' powder can“This pump is old”, the note began, “but she works so give'r a try”“I put a new sucker washer in 'er, you may find the leather dry”“You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe”“You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive”“Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet”“Leave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete”“Yeah, you'll have to prime the pump, work that handle like there's a fire”“Under that rock you'll find some water I left in a bitters jar”“Now there's just enough to prime it with so dontcha go drinkin' first”“You just pour it in and pump like mad, buddy, you'll quench your thirst”“You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe”“You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive”“Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet”“Leave 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 eyeAnd I was tempted strong to drink it, cuz that pump looked mighty dryBut the note went on “have faith my friend, there's water down below”“You got to give until you get—I'm the one who ought to know”So I poured in the jar and I started pumpin' and I heard a beautiful soundOf water bubblin' and splashin' up outta that hole in the groundI took off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that cool refreshing treatI thank the Lord and thank the pump and I thank old Desert Pete“You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe”“You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive”“Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet”“Leave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete”“Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet”“Leave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete”Transcribed by Ronald E.
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