Betty and Dupree

Grateful Dead

Rare Cuts and Oddities 1966, Grateful Dead, 2005

Others

Betty and Dupree
By Request, Cookie and The Cupcakes, 1953
Brownie McGhee Blues, Brownie McGhee Blues, 1955
Single, Chuck Willis, 1958
Sings Ballads, Blues And A Spiritual, Dave Van Ronk, 1959
Ballad and Folksinger, Vol. 3, Pink Anderson, 1961
The Many Moods Of Belafonte, Harry Belafonte, 1963
See What Tomorrow Brings, Peter Paul and Mary, 1965
Gambler's Blues, Dave Van Ronk, 1965
Muddy Brass and The Blues, Muddy Waters, 1967
Black Mountain Blues, Dave Van Ronk, 1968
Atlanta Blues Legend, Buddy Moss, 196?
Josh White Stories, Vol. 1, Josh White, 196?
Sometimes I Believe She Loves Me, Barbara Dane and Lightning Hopkins, 196?
Chain Gang Blues, Sonny Terry, 1976
Rebel Rockabilly - The Roots of Rock, Volume 5, Various Artists (Billy Lee Riley), 1977
Sun Sounds Special, Billy Lee Riley, 1978
Cincinnati Stomp, Big Joe Duskin, 197?
Carolina Blues, Guitar Slim, 197?
Keep a Drivin', Chuck Willis, 1984
Red Hot Riley, Billy Lee Riley and the Little Green Men, 1985
All Time Greatest Hits Vol. 3, Harry Belafonte, 1989
Gambler's Lament, Blind Andy Jenkins, 198?
Classic Recordings 1956-1960, Billy Lee Riley, 1990
Folkway Years 1945-1959, Brownie McGhee, 1991
The Folkways Years 1959-1961, Dave Van Ronk, 1991
At The Gate Of Horn, Bob Gibson, 1994
Stroll On - The Chuck Willis Collection, Chuck Willis, 1994
The Older I Get, The Better I Was, Art Thieme, 1998
The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2 - 1939 to 1945, Various Artists (Brownie McGhee), 19??
Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970, Various Artists (Bob Gibson and Bob Camp), 2001
Classic Folk Music from Smithsonian Folkways, Various Artists (Brownie McGhee), 2004
Classic African American Ballads from Smithsonian Folkways, Various Artists (Josh White), 2006

Notes

Performed by the Grateful Dead. Performed in 1964 by Jorma Kaukonen and Pigpen.

A version of one of a group of closely related songs that are variously known as Betty and Dupree, Dupree Blues, Diamond Ring Blues and similar names. A more thorough listing of title variations and recordings will be added above when time allows. The song has also been used as a starting point for other songs; for example Robert Johnson's From Four Until Late uses the melody of Betty and Dupree.

The song is thought to be based on a real event, the robbery of a jewellery store in Atlanta in 1921 during which a policeman was killed. The robber was caught and executed in September 1922.

The Hunter/Garcia song Duprees Diamond Blues is a reworking of this theme.

The lyrics used in Jorma and Pigpen version;

Oh, Betty told Dupree, "I want a diamond ring"
Now Betty told Dupree, "I want a diamond ring"
Dupree told Betty, "Lord, I'll get you most anything"

Now he got himself a pistol, it was a 44
Got himself a pistol, it was a 44
Now to get that that diamond ring, oh, he had to rob that jewellery store

Now police caught him, carried him back to that county jail
Oh yea the police caught him, carried him back to that county jail
And they said go call your sweetheart, tell her to come and go your bail

Now Betty came to see him, his face she could not see
Oh Betty came to see him but his face she could not see
And she said, "Mr jailer give him this note for me"

Oh, babe I came to see you but I could not see your face
Now, babe I came to see you but I could not see your face
Oh no I love you baby just can't take your place