Earnest discovered many verses of this classic tune, some that have a darkness reflecting the hardships and deprivations suffered by the Gold Rush pioneers, and others that are light-hearted and humorous. He selected only those verses that tell the basic story of Betsy and Ike and their trek across the prairies, rivers, and mountains. In keeping with the spirit of that story, the work should be performed with lively enthusiasm, good humor, and playful abandon. c. 4:00