Dupree's Diamond Blues

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 boy
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
Notes
(1) on the live version on "Fillmore East 2-11-69" it sounds to me as if Garcia sings "'Cause guest of mine ..."

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

Notes
(2) also on the box set Spring 1990
(3) also released as the Grateful Dead 7" single volume 4.


Further Information
For an online discussion of the lyrics to this song see the deadsongs.vue conference on The Well.
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography
For information on references in the lyrics see David Dodd's Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics
For online chords and TAB see www.rukind.com
For sheet music, see:
          Grateful Dead Anthology Volume 2 (piano arrangement)
          Garcia/Hunter Songbook (vocal line and chords/TAB)

 


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