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Dupree's Diamond Blues Lyrics

When I was just a little young boy,
Papa said son, you'll never get far,
Tell you the reason, if you wanna know,
Cause child of mine, there isn't really far to go.
Well, baby baby wants a gold diamond ring,
Wants it more than any old thing,
Well when I get those jelly-roll blues,
Why I go and get anything in this world for you.
Down to the jewelry store packin' a gun,
Says, "Wrap it up I think I'll take this one."
"A thousand dollars please," the jewelry man said,
Dupree said, "I'll pay this one off to you in lead."
Well you know son, you just can't figure,
First thing you know you're gonna to pull that trigger,
And it's no wonder, your reason goes bad,
Jelly-roll will drive you so mad.
Judge said, "Son, it's gonna cost you some time."
Dupree said, "Judge you know that crossed my mind."
Judge said, "Fact it's gonna cost you your life."
Dupree said, "Judge you know that seems to me to be about right."
Baby baby you gonna lose her sweet man,
Dupree come out with a losin' hand,
Baby's gonna weep it up for a while,
Then go out and find another sweet man's gonna treat her with style.
Judge said, "Son, I know your baby well,
But that's a secret I can never tell."
Dupree said, "Judge well it's well understood,
But you got to admit that sweet Jelly's so good."
Well you know son, you just can't figure,
First thing you know you're gonna to pull that trigger,
And it's no wonder, your reason goes bad,
Jelly-roll will drive you so 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 shinin' diamond ring.
Song Info
Submitted by
itsmyownmind On Dec 23, 2001
7 Meanings

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Cover art for Dupree's Diamond Blues lyrics by Grateful Dead

This song is about what people will do to get pussy. Dupree has jelly roll blues becasue his girlfreind wont give him sex. Jelly roll = pussy (white on the outside, red inside). So when she wants a ring, Dupree cannot afford it, so he shoots the Jewlery man, and gets the ring. He gets the death penalty, but says the pussy was worth it, so it doesn't matter.

@Hitter114 The first recorded instance of a SIMP

Cover art for Dupree's Diamond Blues lyrics by Grateful Dead

Robert Hunter called this "the first and last time I ever wrote lyrics while drunk."

Cover art for Dupree's Diamond Blues lyrics by Grateful Dead

I love the way the killer accepts his punishment as being just.

Dupree said, "Judge you know that seems to me to be about right."

Cover art for Dupree's Diamond Blues lyrics by Grateful Dead

Hitter's got it right on, but also it's about on the other side of things, while all men care about is sex, all women care about is gold, jewelry and shiny things. "Baby baby you gonna lose her sweet man, Dupree come out with a losin' hand, Baby's gonna weep it up for a while, Then go out and find another sweet man's gonna treat her with style." She's just gonna find another guy who will buy her pretty things, as long as she puts out. "Some like jelly jelly, some like gold." I guess you could say it's sort of about what people will do to get their material pleasures. I find it hilarious and a little gross but mostly hilarious how they use the word "jelly" to mean vagina, or maybe just sex.

My Interpretation
Cover art for Dupree's Diamond Blues lyrics by Grateful Dead

Lyrically and story-wise this song reminds me of alot of Leadbelly songs, in general. The twelve string acoustic guitar in the right channel seems to confirm this idea.

Song Comparison
Cover art for Dupree's Diamond Blues lyrics by Grateful Dead

I've known this song for years, but its only really grabbed me recently. Straightforward meaning really, his baby was so damn hot he was willing to give his life, not for her, but for getting down with her.

Cover art for Dupree's Diamond Blues lyrics by Grateful Dead

Dupree appears to give the judge who sentenced him to death, his blessing to "look after" his girl after he's gone. On account that the sweet jelly is irresistable.

 
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