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 ***-driver to drive his wagon slow
Told the ***-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...