Stagger Lee
Tim & Mollie O'Brien Lyrics

It was over a hundred years ago in eighteen sixty-one
The events of the story took place a very long time ago.

It was in the town of St. Louis that old Stagger Lee was born
Stagger Lee was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.

Stagger Lee was a gambler and everybody knew his name
Stagger Lee was famous for his gambling skills and reputation.

He made his living singing high low jack and a game
Gambling was Stagger Lee's main source of income and he was known for playing high-low-jack.

It was in the month of December on a cold and rainy night
The incident between Stagger Lee and Billy Bly took place in December on a cold, rainy night.

Stagger Lee and Billy Bly got in an awful fight
Stagger Lee and Billy Bly had a physical altercation.

I was standing on the corner when I heard my bulldog bark
The singer of the song was a witness to the events that took place that night.

Barking at the two men gambling there in the dark
The bulldog was barking at Stagger Lee and Billy Bly who were gambling in the dark.

Stagger Lee threw seven and Billy swore he threw eight
Stagger Lee and Billy were arguing about the outcome of a dice game.

Stagger Lee told Billy I can't let you go with that
Stagger Lee was unwilling to let Billy get away with cheating him out of his money and hat.

You took all my money and my brand new Stetson hat
Billy had not only taken Stagger Lee's money but also his prized Stetson hat.

Stagger Lee he turned around and headed down the railroad track
Stagger Lee left the scene of the argument and went home.

Told Billy you better be gone from here by the time that I get back
Stagger Lee warned Billy to leave before he returned.

Stagger Lee he went on home and he loaded his forty-four
Stagger Lee armed himself with a gun when he went back out.

Said I'm going to the bar room to pay a debt I owe
Stagger Lee had some business at the bar and also intended to retaliate against Billy.

Stag went down to the bar room and then stood on the bar room floor
Stagger Lee entered the bar and stood in a prominent position.

And said nobody move and then he drew his blue steel forty-four
Stagger Lee threatened everyone in the bar with his gun and brandished it.

Billy cried oh Stag oh Stag oh please don't take my life
Billy pleaded with Stagger Lee not to kill him.

I got two little children and a darling lovin' wife
Billy tried to appeal to Stagger Lee's sense of compassion by mentioning his family.

Stag said bless your children said goddamn your wife
Stagger Lee was not moved by Billy's plea and cursed his wife.

You took my magic Stetson now I'm gonna take your life
Stagger Lee was seeking revenge for the stolen hat and decided to kill Billy.

Stagger Lee shot the bullet killed Billy oh so fast
Stagger Lee fatally shot Billy with his gun.

Went straight through the heart, then it broke that looking glass
The bullet passed through Billy's heart and shattered a nearby mirror.

I never saw a sight before like the one when the smoke did clear
The artist was shocked by the aftermath of the shooting.

Billy was lying in a pool of whiskey, diamonds, blood, and beer
Billy's body was surrounded by various items such as whiskey, diamonds, and beer.

Stag had a magic Stetson but I guess it lost its power
Stagger Lee's prized hat did not prevent him from being punished for his crime.

Cause they took him to the gallows to await his final hour
Stagger Lee was sentenced to death and awaited execution on the gallows.

He was a bad man, talk about a bad man
Stagger Lee was notorious for his violent and criminal behavior.

Such a bad man, mean old Stagger Lee
Stagger Lee was known for his meanness and cruelty towards others.