Gather 'round people let me tell you 'bout Dupree

Gather 'round people let me tell you 'bout Dupree

And his woman back in 1903

Betty was her name said she wanted a diamond ring

Betty was her name said she wanted a diamond ring.


Dupree told Betty you can have most anything

Just lay down pretty Betty see what tomorrow brings

Said lay down pretty Betty see what tomorrow brings

May bring sunshine it may bring your diamond ring.


Dupree went down-town a '44 in his hand

Dupree went down-town a '44 in his hand

Went for the jewelry but he shot that jewelry man

Dupree said Betty here's your diamond ring

Dupree said Betty here's your diamond ring

Just to please you pretty Betty I've done, done a wicked thing.


Dupree told Betty I'm bound for Tennessee

Dupree told Betty I'm bound for Tennessee

I'm sorry pretty Betty but that sheriff is a haunting me

They caught poor Dupree and put him into the jail

Caught poor Dupree put him in the jail.


Atlanta prison is where Betty took Dupree his mail

Dupree said judge I ain't been here before

Dupree said judge I ain't been here before

Judge told Dupree I'm gonna see that you don't come back no more.


They took him to the scaffold a black cap upon his face

Took him to the scaffold a black cap upon his face

Now the cold cold ground is for Dupree's resting place

Betty went to the graveyard singing near oh my God to thee

Betty went to the graveyard singing near oh my God to thee.


Oh, mister hangman look what you done done to Dupree

She told the hack-driver to drive his wagon slow

Told the hack-driver drive your dead wagon slow

When you bury my Dupree I ain't gonna see him no more.


Sail on Dupree sail on, sail on Dupree sail on

Don't mind you sailing but you be gone so long

So long Dupree poor boy so long, Dupree poor boy

Don't mind you sailing you'll be gone so long, sail on.


Dupree poor boy...