Desert Pete
Nov. 30th, 2005 10:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kellan_the_tabbyThe words to the song I failed to remember in my last posting...it's by The Kingston Trio, but I'd love to dig up a recording of Clam Chowder playing it as well...
Desert Pete
I was travelin' west to Buckskin on my way to a cattle run,
'cross a little cactus desert under a hot blistering sun.
I was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stump,
but I tell you I just couldn't believe it when I saw that water pump.
I took it to be a mirage at first. It'll fool a thirsty man.
Then I saw a note stuck in a bakin' powder can.
"This pump is old," the note began, "but she works. So give 'er a try.
I put a new sucker washer in 'er. You may find the leather dry.
Chorus:
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.
But 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 don't you go drinkin' first.
You just pour it in and pump like mad, buddy, you'll quench your thirst.
Chorus
Well, I found that jar, and I tell you, nothin' was ever prettier to my eye
and I was tempted strong to drink it 'cause that pump looked mighty dry,
but the note went on, "Have faith, my friend, there's water down below.
You've got to give until you get. I'm the one who ought to know.
So I poured in the jar and started pumpin' and I heard a beautiful sound
of water bubblin' 'n' splashin' up out of that hole in the ground.
I took off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that cool refreshin' treat.
I thanked the Lord, and I thanked the pump, and I thanked old Desert Pete.
Chorus
Desert Pete
I was travelin' west to Buckskin on my way to a cattle run,
'cross a little cactus desert under a hot blistering sun.
I was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stump,
but I tell you I just couldn't believe it when I saw that water pump.
I took it to be a mirage at first. It'll fool a thirsty man.
Then I saw a note stuck in a bakin' powder can.
"This pump is old," the note began, "but she works. So give 'er a try.
I put a new sucker washer in 'er. You may find the leather dry.
Chorus:
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.
But 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 don't you go drinkin' first.
You just pour it in and pump like mad, buddy, you'll quench your thirst.
Chorus
Well, I found that jar, and I tell you, nothin' was ever prettier to my eye
and I was tempted strong to drink it 'cause that pump looked mighty dry,
but the note went on, "Have faith, my friend, there's water down below.
You've got to give until you get. I'm the one who ought to know.
So I poured in the jar and started pumpin' and I heard a beautiful sound
of water bubblin' 'n' splashin' up out of that hole in the ground.
I took off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that cool refreshin' treat.
I thanked the Lord, and I thanked the pump, and I thanked old Desert Pete.
Chorus
