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
He was barkin' at two men who gambled in the dark
It was Stagger Lee and Billy two men who gambled late
Stagger Lee throw seven Billy swore that he threw eight

Stagger Lee told Billy I can't let you go with that
You have all of my money and a brand new Stetson hat
Stagger Lee went home and he got his 44
Said I'm goin' to the parlor just to pay him that I owe

Stagger Lee went to the barroom and he stood for the barrom floor
He said nobody move and he pulled his 44
Stagger Lee cried Billy oh please don't take my life
I got three little children and a weary sickly wife

Stagger Lee shot Billy oh he shot that poor boy so bad
Till the bullet went through Billy and it broke the bartender's glass

Stagger Lee told Billy I can't let you go with that
You have all of my money and a brand new Stetson hat