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 cant 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 Im goin' to the barroom just to pay that debt I owe

Go Stagger Lee!


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 got three little children and a very sickly wife

(Go Stagger Lee)


Stagger Lee shot Billy, oh he shot that poor boy so bad

Till the bullet came through Billy and it broke the bartenders glass

Look out Stagger Lee!