The night was clear and the moon was yellow

And the leaves came tumblin' down I was standin' on the corner

When I heard my bulldog bark

And he was barkin' up at the two men

Who were gamblin' in the dark It was Stagger Lee and Billy

Two men who gambled late

Stagger Lee threw a seven

Billy swore, he threw an eight Stagger Lee told Billy

"I cant let you get away with that

Well, you've won all my money

And my brand new Stetson hat" Stagger Lee ran home

Went and got him his 44

Said, "I'm going to the bar room

Just to pay that debt that I owe" Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee

Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee

Said, "I'm going to the bar room

Just to pay that debt that I owe" Stagger Lee went to the bar room

Boy, he stood across the bar room doors

Said, "Now, nobody move"

And he pulled out his 44 Stagger Lee, cried Billy

"Oh, please don't you take my life

I got me three little children

And a very sickly wife" Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee

Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee

Got me three little children

And a very, very sickly wife Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee

Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee

Go Stagger Lee Stagger Lee shot Billy

Boy, he shot that poor boy so bad

Then the bullet came through Billy

And went right through the bartenders glass While I was standin' on the corner

When I heard my bulldog bark

And he was barkin' up at the two men

Who were gamblin' in the dark, go Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee

Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee

Well, he was barkin' up at the two men

Who were gamblin' in the dark Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee

Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee

Said, "I'm going to the bar room

Just to pay that debt that I owe" Go baby, go Stagger Lee