Betty An' Dupree
Betty's Tragic Tale: Dupree's Wicked Path and Unfortunate End
Lyrics
Dupree went down-town a '44 in his hand
Dupree went downtown with a '44 (gun) in his hand.
Dupree went down-town a '44 in his hand
Repetition: Emphasizes Dupree's possession of a gun.
Went for the jewelry but he shot that jewelry man
He intended to rob a jewelry store but ended up shooting the jewelry man.
Dupree said Betty here's your diamond ring
Dupree gives Betty a diamond ring, possibly stolen.
Dupree said Betty here's your diamond ring
Repetition: Dupree presents the diamond ring to Betty.
Just to please you pretty Betty I've done done a wicked thing
Dupree acknowledges a wicked deed to please Betty.
Dupree told Betty I'm bound for Tennessee
Dupree informs Betty he's heading to Tennessee, chased by the sheriff.
Dupree told Betty I'm bound for Tennessee
Repetition: Dupree expresses regret but mentions the pursuing sheriff.
I'm sorry pretty Betty but that sheriff is a haunting me
Dupree apologizes to Betty, acknowledging the sheriff's pursuit.
They caught poor Dupree and put him into the jail
Dupree gets caught and imprisoned.
Caught poor Dupree put him in the jail
Repetition: Dupree is caught and jailed.
Atlanta prison is where Betty took Dupree his mail
Betty visits Dupree in the Atlanta prison.
Dupree said judge I ain't been here before
Dupree pleads innocence to the judge.
Dupree said judge I ain't been here before
Repetition: Dupree denies previous criminal activities.
Judge told Dupree I'm gonna see that you don't come back no more
The judge promises to ensure Dupree doesn't return.
They took him to the scaffold a black cap upon his face
Dupree is taken to the scaffold for execution.
Took him to the scaffold a black cap upon his face
Repetition: Describes the scene of Dupree's execution.
Now the cold cold ground is for Dupree's resting place
The cold ground becomes Dupree's final resting place.
Betty went to the graveyard singing near oh my god to thee
Betty goes to the graveyard, singing a hymn.
Betty went to the graveyard singing near oh my God to thee
Repetition: Betty mourns at the graveyard.
Oh mister hangman look what you done done to Dupree
Betty questions the hangman for what he has done to Dupree.
She told the hack-driver to drive his wagon slow
Betty instructs the hack-driver to drive slowly during the funeral.
Told the hack-driver drive your dead wagon slow
Repetition: Betty asks the hack-driver to proceed slowly during Dupree's burial.
When you bury my Dupree I ain't gonna see him no more
Betty expresses the sorrow of not seeing Dupree again after the burial.
Sail on Dupree sail on, sail on Dupree sail on
A wish for Dupree to sail on, indicating acceptance of his fate.
Don't mind you sailing but you be gone so long
Expressing a lack of objection to Dupree's departure but acknowledging the prolonged absence.
So long Dupree poor boy so long, Dupree poor boy
A farewell to Dupree, acknowledging his departure.
Don't mind you sailing you'll be gone so long, sail on
Repetition: Betty accepts Dupree's departure but notes the extended absence.
Dupree poor boy
A final farewell to Dupree, acknowledging his departure.
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