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 up at the two men
Who were gambling in the dark
It was Stagger Lee and Billy
Two men who gambled late
Stagger Lee threw a seven
Billy swore that he threw an eight
Stagger Lee told: "Billy,
I can't let you get away with that
Well, you've won all my money
And my brand new Stetson hat"
Stagger Lee went home
And he got his 44
Said, "I'm going to the bar room
Just to pay that debt that I owe"
"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
That the bullet came thru Billy
And went right thru the bartender's glass
Oh Stagger Lee! Hey!
Stagger Lee went to the bar room
And he stood across that bar room doors
Said, "Now, nobody move"
And he pulled out his 44
"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
That the bullet came thru Billy
And went right thru the bartender's glass.