Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Desert Pete

Chords

4.821 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Desert Pete: The Kingston Trio
#33 on BB Hot 100 on CAPITOL Records in 1963.
[Intro]
E
[Verse 1]
I was Etravelin' west of Buckskin on my Away to a cattle ruEn.
'Cross a lAittle cactus Edesert under a B7hot blisterin' Esun.
I was tEhirsty down to my toenails, stopped to Arest me on a Estump.
But I Atell ya I just couldn't beElieve it when I B7saw that water Epump.
I Etook it to be a mirage at first, it'll Afool a thirsty maEn.
AThen I saw a noEte stuck in a B7bakin' powder Ecan.
"This Epump is old" the note began, "but she Aworks so give 'er a Etry.
I Aput a new sucker Ewasher in 'er, you may B7find the leather Edry."
[Chorus]
N.C.                                      B7             A  E  
You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe.
You've got to B7give of yourself 'fore you're Aworthy to reEceive.
Drink all the Awater you can Ehold, wash your G#7face, cool your Afeet.
But leave the Ebottle full for C#mothers, thank you Akindly, BDesert EPete.
[Verse 2]
Yeah, you'll Ehave to prime the pump, work that Ahandle like there's a Efire.
AUnder that rock you'll Efind some water I B7left in a bitters Ejar.
Now, there's Ejust enough to prime it with so Adon't you go drinkin' Efirst.
You just Apour it in and Epump like mad, B7buddy, you'll quench your Ethirst.
[Chorus]
N.C.                                      B7             A  E  
You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe.
You've got to B7give of yourself 'fore you're Aworthy to reEceive.
Drink all the Awater you can Ehold, wash your G#7face, cool your Afeet.
But leave the Ebottle full for C#mothers, thank you Akindly, BDesert EPete.
[Verse 3]
Well, I Efound that jar and I tell ya, nothin' was Aever prettier to my Eeye.
And I was Atempted strong to drEink it, 'cause that B7pump looked mighty Edry.
But the Enote went on, "Have faith my friend, there's Awater down beElow.
You've Agot to give unEtil you get, I'm the B7one who ought to Eknow."
So, I Epoured in the jar and I started pumpin' and I Aheard a beautiful Esound
of Awater bubblin' and Esplashin' up B7outta that hole in the Eground.
I Etook off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that Acool refreshing Etreat.
I Athanked the Lord, I Ethanked the pump and I B7thank old desert EPete.
[Chorus]
N.C.                                      B7             A  E  
You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe.
You've got to B7give of yourself 'fore you're Aworthy to reEceive.
Drink all the Awater you can Ehold, wash your G#7face, cool your Afeet.
But leave the Ebottle full for C#mothers, thank you Akindly, BDesert EPete.
Drink all the Awater you can Ehold, wash your G#7face, cool your Afeet.
But leave the Ebottle full for C#mothers, thank you Akindly, BDesert EPete.
A sixties smash from Kraziekhat.

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

"Desert Pete" tells a story of perseverance and hope in the face of dire circumstances. It recounts the tale of a man lost in the desert, on the brink of despair, who stumbles upon a well with a note from a previous traveler, Desert Pete. The note advises him to first pour his precious water into the pump to prime it, trusting that more will follow. This song, released by The Kingston Trio in 1963, became their last Top 40 single and was recognized by the Western Writers of America as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. It's a poignant narrative about faith, risk, and the wisdom passed down through generations.

AI-written from these sources:Sunny Side! — Wikipedia ↗The Kingston Trio — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Desert Pete

by The Kingston Trio

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

G#7

C#m

Desert Pete: The Kingston Trio

#33 on BB Hot 100 on CAPITOL Records in 1963.

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

E A E

I was travelin' west of Buckskin on my way to a cattle run.

A E B7 E

'Cross a little cactus desert under a hot blisterin' sun.

E A E

I was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stump.

A E B7 E

But I tell ya I just couldn't believe it when I saw that water pump.

E A E

I took it to be a mirage at first, it'll fool a thirsty man.

A E B7 E

Then I saw a note stuck in a bakin' powder can.

E A E

"This pump is old" the note began, "but she works so give 'er a try.

A E B7 E

I put a new sucker washer in 'er, you may find the leather dry."

[Chorus]

B7 A E

N.C.

You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe.

B7 A E

You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive.

A E G#7 A

Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet.

E C#m A B E

But leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, Desert Pete.

[Verse 2]

E A E

Yeah, you'll have to prime the pump, work that handle like there's a fire.

A E B7 E

Under that rock you'll find some water I left in a bitters jar.

E A E

Now, there's just enough to prime it with so don't you go drinkin' first.

A E B7 E

You just pour it in and pump like mad, buddy, you'll quench your thirst.

[Chorus]

B7 A E

N.C.

You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe.

B7 A E

You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive.

A E G#7 A

Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet.

E C#m A B E

But leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, Desert Pete.

[Verse 3]

E A E

Well, I found that jar and I tell ya, nothin' was ever prettier to my eye.

A E B7 E

And I was tempted strong to drink it, 'cause that pump looked mighty dry.

E A E

But the note went on, "Have faith my friend, there's water down below.

A E B7 E

You've got to give until you get, I'm the one who ought to know."

E A E

So, I poured in the jar and I started pumpin' and I heard a beautiful sound

A E B7 E

of water bubblin' and splashin' up outta that hole in the ground.

E A E

I took off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that cool refreshing treat.

A E B7 E

I thanked the Lord, I thanked the pump and I thank old desert Pete.

[Chorus]

B7 A E

N.C.

You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe.

B7 A E

You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive.

A E G#7 A

Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet.

E C#m A B E

But leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, Desert Pete.

A E G#7 A

Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet.

E C#m A B E

But leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, Desert Pete.

A sixties smash from Kraziekhat.

About Desert Pete Chords by The Kingston Trio

Learn how to play Desert Pete by The Kingston Trio with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Desert Pete chords”, “Desert Pete guitar chords”, or “The Kingston Trio Desert Pete chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Desert Pete chords and for experienced players who want accurate Desert Pete lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, B7, C, G#7, C#m.

FAQ — Desert Pete by The Kingston Trio

How do I play "Desert Pete" by The Kingston Trio on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Desert Pete" by The Kingston Trio on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Desert Pete" by The Kingston Trio free?

Yes. The chords for "Desert Pete" by The Kingston Trio are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Desert Pete" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Desert Pete" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Desert Pete"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Desert Pete" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Desert Pete" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Desert Pete" by The Kingston Trio with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Kingston Trio below.

What key is "Desert Pete" in?

The chords for "Desert Pete" show the original chord names (including E, A, B7, C, G#7, C#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.