Stagger Lee
Taj Mahal & the Hula Blues Lyrics

The night was clear
The sky was cloudless, making for a pleasant night.

And the moon was yellow
The moon had a yellow hue, adding to the beauty of the night.

And the leaves
The falling leaves from nearby trees added to the sounds of the night.

Came tumbling down
The leaves drifted down gently to the ground, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

I was standin' on the corner
The artist was standing at a street corner, observing the events that were about to unfold.

When I heard my bull dog bark
The singer's dog started barking, indicating that something strange or dangerous was happening nearby.

He was barkin' at the two men
The dog was barking at two men who were doing something suspicious in the dark.

Who were gamblin' in the dark
The two men were playing a game of chance without any source of light around them.

Stagger Lee and Billy
The names of the two men playing the game were Stagger Lee and Billy.

Two men who gambled late
The two men continued gambling until late at night.

Stagger Lee threw a seven
Stagger Lee won by throwing a seven.

Billy swore that he threw an eight
Billy claimed that he won by throwing an eight.

Stagger Lee told Billy
Stagger Lee informed Billy of what he had won.

I can't let you go with that
Stagger Lee was not willing to let Billy just leave with his winnings.

You have won all my money
Stagger Lee lost all his money to Billy.

And my brand new Stetson hat
Billy had also won Stagger Lee's new Stetson hat.

Stagger Lee went home
Stagger Lee went back to his place of residence.

And he got his forty four
Stagger Lee retrieved his .44 caliber revolver.

Said, I'm gonna to the bar
Stagger Lee decided to go to the local bar.

Just to pay that debt I owe
Stagger Lee went to the bar with the intention of settling the debt he owed Billy.

Blew them, six
Stagger Lee fired six shots from his revolver.

Stagger Lee, Stagger Lee
The artist repeats Stagger Lee's name multiple times, adding to the drama of the situation.

Stagger Lee went to the bar room
Stagger Lee arrived at the local bar.

And he stood across the bar room door
Stagger Lee stood in front of the entrance to the bar, blocking anyone from leaving.

Said, now, nobody move
Stagger Lee ordered everyone inside the bar to remain still and not move a muscle.

Then he pulled his forty four
Stagger Lee brandished his weapon, letting everyone know that he meant business.

Stagger Lee, cried Billy
Billy pleaded with Stagger Lee for mercy.

Ohh, please don't take my life
Billy begged Stagger Lee not to kill him.

I've got three little children
Billy spoke of his three young children who would be left without a father.

And a very sickly wife
Billy's wife was also in poor health, adding to his plea for mercy.

Well, Stagger Lee shot Billy
Stagger Lee fired his revolver, hitting Billy.

Ohh, he shot that poor boy so bad
Billy was severely injured from the bullet wound.

So the bullet came through Billy
The bullet passed through Billy's body, causing additional damage.

And it broke the bartender's glass
The bullet even shattered the glass held by the bartender.

Hate that thing on most hands
The singer expresses a dislike for something, though it is unclear what that thing is.

Stagger Lee, Stagger Lee
The artist repeats Stagger Lee's name again, potentially adding emphasis on the chaos and violence that occurred.

Go, Stagger Lee, go, Stagger Lee
The singer calls for Stagger Lee to leave the scene.

Go, Stagger Lee
The singer repeats the call for Stagger Lee to depart from the area.

Go, Stagger Lee, go, Stagger Lee
The singer repeats the call to leave once more, potentially emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Go, Stagger Lee
The artist once again tells Stagger Lee to leave the scene.

Go, Stagger Lee, go, Stagger Lee
The artist once again repeats the call for Stagger Lee to depart from the area.