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 bull dog 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

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 44
Said, "I'm goin' to the bar room
Just to pay that debt I owe"

Go, Stagger Lee

Stagger Lee went to the bar room
And he strolled across the bar room floor
He said "Now nobody move"
And he pulled his 44

"Stagger Lee," cried Billy
"Oh, please don't take my life
I've got three little children
And a very sickly wife"

Stagger Lee shot Billy
Oh, he shot that poor boy so bad
That a bullet went through Billy
And broke the bartender's glass

Go, Stagger Lee, go, Stagger Lee
Go, Stagger Lee, go, Stagger Lee