Desert Pete Lyrics By The Kingston Trio

i was travelin’ west of buckskin on my way to a cattle run ‘cross a little cactus desert under a hard bargaining sun thirsty down to my toenails i 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

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 to 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 the rock you’ll find some water left there in a bitter’s jar now there’s just enough to prime it with so don’t you go drinkin’ first just pour it in and pump like mad and buddy you’ll quench your thirst

well i found the jar and i tell you nothin’ was ever prettier to my eye and i was tempted strong to drink it because that pump looked mighty dry but the note went on have faith my friend there’s water down below you’ve got to give to really 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 then i took off my shoes and drunk my fill of that cold refreshin’ treat tthen i thanked the lord and i thanked the pump and i thanked old desert pete

Artist: The Kingston Trio

Year: 1963

Decade: 60s

Language: en

Word Count: 211