Desert Pete

I was travellin' West a buckskin on my way to a cattle run
Cross a little cactus desert under a hot blisterin' sun
I was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stump
But I tell ya 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'r 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, cool 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 that rock you'll find some water I left in a bitters jar”
“Now there's just enough to prime it with so dontcha go drinkin' first”
“You just pour it in and pump like mad, 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, cool your feet”
“Leave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete”

Well I found that jar and I tell ya nothin' was ever prettier to my eye
And I was tempted strong to drink it, cuz that pump looked mighty dry
But the note went on “have faith my friend, there's water down below”
“You got to give until you get—I'm the one who ought to know”
So I poured in the jar and I started pumpin' and I heard a beautiful sound
Of water bubblin' and splashin' up outta that hole in the ground
I took off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that cool refreshing treat
I thank the Lord and thank the pump and I thank 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, cool your feet”
“Leave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete”

“Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet”
“Leave the bottle full for others, Thank You kindly, Desert Pete”

:::::::

I heard a guy make a reference to this song in light of how we live our lives. Just as there was temptation from the thirsty man to drink the bottle of water he found burried by the pump instead of using it to prime the pump and gain vast quantities of water (and also the temptation to take the priming water bottle and screw everyone else), there is the temptation in each person's life to spend our lives for our own desires, pleasure, amusements, etc... On the contrary, Jesus says that if we want a truly satisfied life, then we should empty ourselves to Him (which would be to serve and love others as we love ourselves).

As Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose." (meaning his life)

Blessings,

nick