Stagger Lee

The night was clear and the moon was yellow

And the leaves came tumbling down



I was standing on the corner

When I heard my bulldog bark

He was barkin' at the two men

Who were gamblin' in the dark

It was Stagger Lee and Billy

Two men who gambled late

Stagger Lee threw seven

Billy swore that he threw eight



Stagger Lee told Billy

I can't let you go with that

You have won all my money

And my brand new stetson hat



Stagger Lee went home

And he got his forty-four

Said, I'm goin' to the barroom

Just to pay that debt I owe

Go Stagger Lee



[Instrumental Interlude]



Stagger Lee went to the barroom

And he stood across the barroom door

He said, nobody move

And he pulled his forty-four



Stagger Lee, cried Billy

Oh, please don't take my life

I've three little children

And a very sickly wife



Stagger Lee shot Billy

Oh, he shot that poor boy so bad

Till the bullet came through Billy

And it broke the bartender's glass