***Songs To While The Time By- The Roots Is The Toots- Betty and Dupree

A YouTube clip to give some flavor to this subject.

Over the past several years I have been running an occasional series in this space of songs, mainly political protest songs, you know The Internationale, Union Maid, Which Side Are You On, Viva La Quince Brigada, Universal Soldier, and such entitled Songs To While The Class Struggle By. This series which could include some protest songs as well is centered on roots music as it has come down the ages and formed the core of the American songbook. You will find the odd, the eccentric, the forebears of later musical trends, and the just plain amusing here. Listen up-Peter Paul Markin

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Chorus:
Lie down Betty, see what tomorrow brings
Lie down Betty, see what tomorrow brings
May bring you sunshine, may bring you diamond rings,
but if you lose your man it won't bring you anything.

Well Betty told DuPree, "Buy me a diamond ring", yeah
Betty told DuPree, "Buy me a diamond ring"
And DuPree told Betty, "Buy you most anything"

(Chorus)

So DuPree took a pistol and he robbed that jewelry store, yeah
I said DuPree took a 38, he robbed that jewelry store
You know he killed two policemen he left them a-lying on the floor.

Well DuPree in a taxi "Take me to Baltimore"
DuPree in a taxi "Take me to Baltimore"
And when he got to Betty's the sheriff was a-waitin at the door.

You could hear him singin'... (Chorus)

Now DuPree's in the death house callin' out Betty's name
Oh, DuPree's in the death house callin' out Betty's name
The guard said "DuPree this note from your baby just came."

"I came to see you but they wouldn't let me see your face"
"came to see you but they wouldn't let me see your face"
"I love you DuPree, ain't no one gonna take your place!"

(Chorus)