Song information On this page you can find the lyrics of the song Pete (1947), artist - Dinah Washington. Album song Complete Jazz Series 1947-1949, in the genre Date of issue: 31.10.2010
Record label: Complete Jazz Series
Song language: English
Pete (1947) |
| I was travelin' West of Buckskin on my 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Then I thanked the Lord, and I thanked the pump, and I thanked 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 to your feet. |
| Leave the bottle full for others. |
| Thank you kindly, Desert Pete. |