^DThe night was black, and the ^Bmmoon was yellow
And the ^Gleaves came^Atumbling ^Ddown^A

v.1
I was standin' 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 a seven, Billy swore that he threw eight

v.2
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"

Instr. Brk

v.3
Stagger Lee went to the barroom, and stood across the barroom floor
Said, "Now nobody move" and he pulled his forty-four
"Oh Stagger Lee", cried Billy, "Oh please don't take my life
I got three little children and a very sexy wife"

v.3
Stagger Lee shot Billy, oh he shot that poor boy so bad
That the bullet went through Billy and it broke the bartender's glass

Go Stagger Lee, go Stagger Lee [Rpt to end]