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 barking 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 bar just to pay that debt I owe"

Go on, Stagger Lee

Stagger Lee went to the bar room

And he stood across the bar room door

Said, "Now 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"

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

Now look out, Stagger

Go, Stagger Lee

Go, Stagger Lee

Go, Stagger Lee

Go, Stagger Lee

Go, Stagger Lee

Go, Stagger Lee

Go, Stagger Lee

Go, Stagger Lee