Betty an’ Drupree Songtext
von Harry Belafonte

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 want a damond ring
Betty was her name, said she want a damond 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 downtown, a .44 in his hand
Dupree went downtown, 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 her hack-driver to drive his wagon slow
Told her 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