Betty And Dupree

Dupree was a bandit; he was so brave and bol';

He stoled a diamond ring for some of Betty's jelly roll



Betty told Dupree, "I want a diamond ring."

Betty told Dupree, "I want a diamond ring."

Dupree told Betty, "I'll give you most anything."



He said, "Lie down, little Betty, see what tomorrow brings,"

He said, "Lie down, little Betty, see what tomorrow brings,"

It may bring sunshine, may bring you that diamond ring.



Michigan water taste like cherry wine,

The reason I know: Betty drink it all the time.



I'm going away to the end of the railroad track

Nothing but sweet Betty can bring me back



Then he got his pistol, went to the jewelry store,

Then he got his pistol, went to the jewelry store,

Killed a policeman and he wounded four or five more.



Then he went to the post office to get the evening mail

Then he went to the post office to get the evening mail

Sheriff caught poor Dupree and put him in that old Atlanta jail.



Dupree tol' the lawyer, "Clear me if you can

For I have money to back me, sure as I'm a man



The lawyer tol' Dupree, You are a very brave man

But I think you will go to jail and hang"



Dupree tol' the judge, "I am not so brave and bol'

But all I wanted was Betty's jelly roll



The judge tol' Dupree, "Jelly roll's gonna be your ruin

"No, no, judge, for that is what I done quit doing"



The judge tol' Dupree, "I believe you quit too late

Because it is already your fate



Dupree's mother said to Betty, "Looka' here what you done done."

Dupree's mother said to Betty, "Looka' here what you done done."

"Made my boy rob and steal, now he is gonna be hung"



Betty went to the jailhouse, she could not see Dupree

Betty went to the jailhouse, she could not see Dupree

She told the jailer, "Tell him these words for me."



"I come to see you, baby, I could not see your face."

"I come to see you, baby, I could not see your face."

"You know I love you, but I cannot take your place."



Sail on, sail on, sail on, Dupree, sail on.

Sail on, sail on, sail on, Dupree, sail on.

You don't mind sailing, you'll be gone so doggone long.