Burl Ives
Old Betsy
"Bang" goes Old Betsy
My only gun is Betsy
I can travel far and wide with Old Betsy by my side
(By my side...)
(By my side...)

One day I went away from town
I aim to grin a wildcat down
The beast and I begin to stare
It was a growlin' grizzly bear

"Bang" went Old Betsy
My one and only Betsy
I can travel far and wide with Old Betsy by my side

When I was splittin' fencing rails
A stranger ridin' down the trail
Took a rifle shot at me
I stepped behind a maple tree

"Bang" went Old Betsy
My one and only Betsy
I can travel far and wide with Old Betsy by my side

I was a gеttin' whittlin' sticks
I got myself into a fix
The snow was frozen on thе ground
A pack of hungry wolves came 'round
"Bang" went Old Betsy
My one and only Betsy
I can travel far and wide with Old Betsy by my side
(By my side...)
(By my side...)

Once I was a guidin' a wagon train
Across the endless western plain
We were just 'a beddin' down
I heard the war-whoops goin' 'round

"Bang" went Old Betsy
My one and only Betsy
I can travel far and wide with Old Betsy by my side

When I was a ridin' through the woods
To trade off skins for bought-in goods
Forty arrows hit a tree
I knew the Sioux were after me

"Bang" went Old Betsy
My one and only Betsy
I can travel far and wide with Old Betsy by my side
(By my side...)
(By my side...)
The only time I draw my gun
Believe me it is not in fun
I shoot it for defendin' me
I shoot for life and liberty

"Bang" went Old Betsy
My one and only Betsy
I can travel far and wide with Old Betsy by my side

"Bang" went Old Betsy
My one and only Betsy
I can travel far and wide with Old Betsy by my side