Stagger Lee
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes Lyrics


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(L. Price/H. Logan)

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 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 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 started off goin' down that railroad track
He said "I can't get you Billy but don't be here when I come back"

Stagger Lee went home and he got his forty-four
Said "I'm goin' to the barroom just to pay that debt I owe"
Stagger Lee went to the barroom and he stood across the barroom door
He said "Nobody move" and he pulled his forty-four

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

Oh Stagger Lee
Oh Stagger Lee
Oh Stagger Lee
Oh Stagger Lee





Irving Music BMI

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes's song Stagger Lee tell the story of a deadly confrontation between two men - Stagger Lee and Billy - who were gambling in the dark. Stagger Lee threw seven, but Billy claimed he threw eight. Stagger Lee, feeling cheated, told Billy that he couldn't let him go with that and that he had won all his money and his brand new stetson hat. Stagger Lee walked away but warned Billy not to be there when he came back.


Stagger Lee returned home, got his forty-four gun, and went to the barroom to pay the debt he owed. He stood across the barroom door and told everyone not to move before shooting Billy. The bullet went through Billy and broke the bartender's glass. The song ends with a chorus of "Oh Stagger Lee" repeated several times.


The song is based on a real-life murder that happened in St. Louis, Missouri in 1895. Lee Shelton, also known as "Stag" Lee or "Stack" Lee, shot and killed William Lyons over a gambling dispute. The murder became infamous in the African American community and inspired numerous folk songs and blues renditions.


Line by Line Meaning

The night was clear and the moon was yellow
It was a clear night with a yellow moon.


And the leaves came tumbling down
The leaves were falling.


I was standing on the corner when I heard my bulldog bark
The singer was on the corner when they heard their dog bark.


He was barkin' at the two men who were gamblin' in the dark
The dog was barking at two men gambling in the dark.


It was Stagger Lee and Billy, two men who gambled late
The gamblers' names were Stagger Lee and Billy.


Stagger Lee threw seven, Billy swore that he threw eight
Stagger Lee threw seven, but Billy said he threw eight.


Stagger Lee told Billy, "I can't let you go with that"
Stagger Lee said to Billy that he couldn't let him keep the money.


"You have won all my money and my brand new stetson hat"
Stagger Lee was upset because Billy won all his money and his hat.


Stagger Lee started off goin' down that railroad track
Stagger Lee left, walking down the railroad track.


He said "I can't get you Billy but don't be here when I come back"
Stagger Lee told Billy to leave before he comes back.


Stagger Lee went home and he got his forty-four
Stagger Lee went home and got his gun.


Said "I'm goin' to the barroom just to pay that debt I owe"
Stagger Lee went to the bar to pay his debt.


Stagger Lee went to the barroom and he stood across the barroom door
Stagger Lee stood in front of the door in the bar.


He said "Nobody move" and he pulled his forty-four
Stagger Lee ordered everyone not to move and showed his gun.


Stagger Lee shot Billy, oh he shot that poor boy so bad
Stagger Lee shot Billy, injuring him severely.


Till the bullet went through Billy and it broke the bartender's glass
The bullet went through Billy and broke the bartender's glass.


Oh Stagger Lee
Repeating Stagger Lee's name.


Oh Stagger Lee
Repeating Stagger Lee's name.


Oh Stagger Lee
Repeating Stagger Lee's name.


Oh Stagger Lee
Repeating Stagger Lee's name.


Irving Music BMI
The music's publisher.




Contributed by John L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

anthony gallo

Great vid.all original members, anyone have a clue what happened to SSJ's hand in '78. One show at the stone pony he even thanked his dr,who was in the audience?? If u know post it please

bobistheowl

I know that the band includes Billy/ Willy Rush, (lead guitar), Kevin Kavanaugh, (piano), Al, (The Doctor), Berger, (bass), Eddie Manion, (baritone sax), Stanley Harrison, (tenor sax), and La Bamba, (trombone). Southside introduced all of them at the Montreal show on December 18, 1978. I have no idea who the drummer is, nor the second guitarist, nor the two guys playing trumpet. If you know, please reply.

Chris Goione

Steve Becker - Drums, Joel Gramolini - Second guitar, Rick Gazda - Trumpet, Rich Rosenberg - Trombone

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