247
Frank Dupree
In Our Singing Country, pp. 328-30, Lomax gives one version of
this song under the title 'Dupree.' In that version the protagonist's
actions are clearly motivated by love for his sweetheart, Betty. He
kills the jewelry store owner, taxis to Memphis and then Chicago ;
there he kills one cop and wounds several more, is caught while
getting his mail, and is taken to the Atlanta jail. Odum and John-
son, NWS, give two Negro versions of the song and say : "One"
of the most interesting aspects of this Dupree song is that it may
be compared with the Atlanta ballad of the white Frank Dupree as
popularly sung on the phonograph records."
In FSF 87-90 Alton C. Morris, giving two Florida texts of
this ballad, shows that it was based on the case of Frank Dupree,
of Abbeville, South Carolina, who in a jewelry store robbery in
Atlanta on December 15, 1921, killed a policeman, and was executed
for murder on September i, 1922. With minor differences, Morris'
texts are close to Blaylock's.
'Frank Dupree.' From the John Burch Blaylock Collection.
I Come here, buddy, come here quick ;
I'll tell you what I done.
I followed the movies and a sporting life
Until my race is run.
I I went to Atlanta with a sweetheart fair ;
I went in a jewelry store.
I took a diamond while standing there,
But I'll never take any more.
3 I took the diamond and left that shop ;
I walked out on the street.
I pulled my pistol and shot that cop,
And laid him dead at my feet.
4 I caught a flivver and left that town
To make my get-away.
But my sweetheart didn't come around,
And I couldn't stay away.
5 They had me arrested and carried to trial.
At last the jury did say,
'Frank Dupree, that innocent child.
Has thrown his life away.'
6 Come here, father, come here quick,
To see the last of your son.
NATIVE AMERICAN BALLADS 571
See what smoking wicked cigarettes
And a sporting life has done.
7 I want all my buddies and all my friends
To take this warning from me.
Stop that roaming and live like men,
Don't live like Frank Dupree.