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Chords: Desert Pete (Wheeler/Kingston Trio)

03 Feb 97 - 04:11 PM (#1880)
Subject: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: jamas@gil.com.au

We nearly got the words to Desert Pete from ____ and the original requester ---- says that he or she already has them. I would be grateful if anyone could add the lyrics already posted.

Thankyou Tony Hurley

03 Feb 97 - 04:13 PM (#1881)
Subject: RE: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: jamas

Sorry - forgot to do my inserts before posting -

Chorus lyrics already supplied by Rodney Rawlings and the original requester was "dmorris".

Tony

07 Feb 97 - 09:57 AM (#2001)
Subject: Lyr Add: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio version)
From: Rodney Rawlings

I'll try to recall SOME of the verse(s). Note that the Kingston Trio spoke the verse, but the song may have had a melody for the verse and may not have. Ellipses (...) indicate gaps in my memory. Here goes:

"I was ... under a hot, blistering sun ...
And I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that water pump ...
The note said, "Have faith, my friend, there's water down below.
You've got to give before you get - I'm the one who ought to know!

(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.

... and I heard a beautiful sound
Of water bubblin' an' splashin' fro' outa that hole in the ground.
... and I drank my fill of that cool, refreshing treat.
I thank the Lord, and I thank the pump, and I thank ol' Desert Pete!

(You've got to) etc."

Great song!

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 30-Mar-03.

07 Feb 97 - 03:41 PM (#2006)
Subject: Lyr Add: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: jamas

Bill Foster very kindly e-mailed me a copy:

I was headin' north from Buckskin, on my way to a cattle run,
Across the Little Cactus Desert, under a hard-bargainin' sun.
Thirsty down to my toenails, I stopped to rest me on a stump,
And I tell ya, I couldn't believe it when I seen that water pump.

Well, I took it to be a mirage at first, that'll fool a thirsty man--
But then I seen a note stuck down in a bakin' powder can.
"This pump is old," the note began, "but she works, so giver 'er a try--
I had to put a new sucker-washer in, and you may find the leather dry--

So you'll have to prime the pump, and work that handle like there was a fire;
Under that rock you'll find some water that I left in a vinegar jar.
Now, there's just enough to prime it with, so don't you go drinkin' none first--
Just pour it in and pump like hell, and buddy, you'll quench your thirst.!

CHORUS

Well, I found that jar and I'll tell you, nothin' was ever prettier to my eye.
And I was tempted strong to drink it, 'cause that pump looked powerful dry;
But the note went on: "Have faith, my friend, there's water down below--
But you have to give to really get: I'm the one who oughta know."

So I poured in the water and I worked that handle and I heard a beautiful sound--
Of water, bubblin' and splashin', up outta that hold in the ground.
And I pulled off my shoes and I drank my fill of that cool, refreshin' treat;
And I said, 'Thank you, Lord,' and 'Thank you, pump,' and 'Thank you, Desert Pete.'

CHORUS

-----------------

I hope you didn't mind me re-posting it Bill. It's a great song.

Tony

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 30-Mar-03.

07 Feb 97 - 08:44 PM (#2010)
Subject: RE: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: Rodney Rawlings

Great! Someone stole my only copy of the Trio's version. They sing it with slightly different words. Oh - what you labelled the chorus is actually a second verse. I'm sure the chorus starts at (You've got to) PRIME THE PUMP etc. It's a very effective trick, to delay the chorus until two verses have gone by. It's the best way to perform (GHOST) RIDERS IN THE SKY, because it enables you to bypass the line "The ghost HERD in the sky" - which in my opinion is a bit weak. But I digress. How I love the Kingston Trio's DESERT PETE!

07 Feb 97 - 08:50 PM (#2011)
Subject: RE: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: Rodney Rawlings

Just realized you meant the word CHORUS as an abbreviation, not a heading. By the way, who wrote this masterpiece? I'll try do find out by Internet research right now.

07 Feb 97 - 10:09 PM (#2013)
Subject: RE: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: dick greenhaus

Hi- Thanx for posting the lyrics. And thanx (in advance) for posting the author/composer and copyright holder.

07 Feb 97 - 10:13 PM (#2014)
Subject: RE: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: jamas

In Bill's email he also added: "I learned this song many years ago from Billy Edd Wheeler (who, I believe, wrote it), and I was unaware that the Kingston Trio had ever recorded it. In Billy Edd's version, the verses are recited, and only the chorus is sung. I have performed it for years, and have found that it is always well-received. Incidentally, in the area from which Billy Edd and I come (The Appalachian Mountains), the word FIRE (line 10) is usually pronounced the same as FAR, and rhymes neatly with JAR. I hope that you enjoy the song."

End of quote. Tony

15 Feb 97 - 12:44 PM (#2249)
Subject: RE: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: SSWINNEY@worldnet.att.net

I have the Kingston Trio version in an old songbook of theirs. If anyone would like this (musical notation, chords, and lyrics) I could maybe fax you a copy (I don't have a scanner).

15 Feb 97 - 04:39 PM (#2258)
Subject: RE: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: jamas

SSWINNEY@worldnet.att.net wrote:-

>Subject: RE: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio) >From: SSWINNEY@worldnet.att.net >Date: 02/15/97 > >I have the Kingston Trio version in an old songbook of theirs. If anyone would like this (musical notation, chords, and lyrics) I >could maybe fax you a copy (I don't have a scanner).

That's a very kind offer - but I think it could be expensive - unless you live locally to all interested parties. I would like a copy but I live in Australia - I'm guessing that you're in the US (can't really tell from your email address). As an alternative - could you just put down the chord sequence for us and redisplay it on this forum.

Many thanks, Tony Hurley (jamas@gil.com.au)

15 Feb 97 - 05:18 PM (#2263)
Subject: RE: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: SSWINNEY@worldnet.att.net

How right you are! I live in Minneapolis, Mn., USA so I'll write it out for you. This is from "An Evening with the Kingston Trio/Deluxe Souvenir Vocal Album No.11, Hansen Publications Inc. I've had the book since mid 60's and I'm sure it's not around anymore. Anyway, all of the verses are spoken and the chorus is sung. If slash / equals one measure the background played during the spoken parts is as follows:

D// G/ D/ G/ D/ A7/ D// (repeat)

I'll continue with the chorus and words on another thread.

15 Feb 97 - 05:25 PM (#2264)
Subject: Chords Add: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: SSWINNEY@worldnet.att.net

A7                             G
  You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and 
     D                  A7      
  believe, And you must give of yourself before you're 
    G          D                      G            D
  worthy to receive.  Drink all the water you can hold,
             F#              G                   D
  wash your face, cool your feet, But leave the bottle full
                        G              D
  for others, thank you kindly Desert Pete.
Spoken lyrics to follow, and it was written by
Billy Edd. Wheeler, 1963

HTML line breaks and preformat commands added. --JoeClone, 30-Mar-03.

15 Feb 97 - 05:30 PM (#2265)
Subject: RE: Desert Pete (Kingston Trio)
From: SSWINNEY@worldnet.att.net

Well now, this is getting to be more difficult than I expected. I wrote out the chords and lyrics and sent them on only to discover that they were reformated and now look pretty confusing. So here's the deal. If you want them, send me an e-mail at the above address and I'll just attach the file and send it to you directly. OK?