Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jerry Garcia
The lyrics by Robert Hunter are based on the traditional ballad Betty and Dupree
When I was just a little young boyNotes
Papa said "Son, you'll never get far
I'll tell you the reason, if you want to know
'Cause child of mine, there isn't really very far to go" (note 1)
Well baby, baby wants a gold diamond ring
Wants it more than almost any old thing
Well when I get those jelly roll blues
Why, I'd go and get anything in this world for you
Down to the jewelry store packing a gun
Says "wrap it up, I think I'll take this one"
"A thousand dollars, please" the jewelry man said
Dupree, he said "I'll pay this one to you off in lead"
Well you know son, you just can't figure
First thing you know, you're gonna pull that trigger
And it's no wonder your reason goes bad
Jelly roll will drive you stone mad
Judge said "Son, it's gonna cost you some time"
Dupree said "Judge, you know that crossed my mind"
Judge said "[In] fact it's gonna cost you your life"
Dupree, he said "Judge, you know that seems to me to be about right"
Well, baby, baby's gonna lose her sweet man
Dupree came out with a losing hand
Baby's gonna weep it up for a while
Then go out and find another sweet man gonna treat her with style
Judge said "Son, I know your baby well
But that's a secret that I can't never tell"
Dupree said "Judge, well, it's well understood
And you got to admit that sweet, sweet jelly's so good"
Well you know son, you just can't figure
First thing you know, you're gonna pull that trigger
And it's no wonder your reason goes bad
Jelly roll will drive you stone mad
Same old story, and I know it's been told
Some like jelly jelly, some like gold
Many a man's done a terrible thing
Just to get baby a shiny diamond ring
Grateful Dead Recordings | |||||
Date | Album | ||||
Studio 68-69 | Aoxomoxoa (note 3) | ||||
23 Jan 1969 | Download Series Vol 12 | ||||
24 Jan 1969 | Aoxomoxoa (2019 bonus disc) | ||||
25 Jan 1969 | 30 Days Of The Dead (2010) | ||||
11 Feb 1969 | Fillmore East 2-11-69 | ||||
22 Feb 1969 | 30 Trips Around The Sun | ||||
27 Feb 1969 | Fillmore West 1969 -The Complete Recordings | ||||
1 Mar 1969 | Fillmore West 1969 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
26 Apr 1969 | Dick's Picks Vol 26 | ||||
2 Oct 1977 | Dave's Picks Volume 45 | ||||
4 Nov 1977 | Dave's Picks Volume 12 | ||||
6 Nov 1977 | Dave's Picks Volume 25 | ||||
4 Feb 1978 | Dick's Picks Vol 18 | ||||
14 Apr 1978 | Friend Of The Devils: April 1978 | ||||
20 Sep 1982 | In And Out Of The Garden | ||||
19 Apr 1983 | 30 Days Of The Dead (2014) | ||||
16 Apr 1984 | 30 Days Of The Dead (2022) | ||||
26 Mar 1990 | Dozin' At The Nick (note 2) | ||||
13 Oct 1994 | 30 Days Of The Dead (2015) | ||||
5 Jun 1999 | Love Will Find A Way (Phil Lesh and Friends) | ||||
Other Recordings | |||||
2004 | 20 Degrees Of Solitude | The Grass Is Dead | |||
2005 | Grass | Keller and The Keels | |||
26 Jul 2007 | Jerry Jams for Rex | The Waybacks | |||
2013 | Move Me Brightly | Bob Weir et al (Blu-ray - bonus track) | |||
2015 | Songs Of Their Own | Ryan Montbleau & Stephane Wrembel | |||
2018 | In Good Company | Rumpke Mountain \boys |