[Verse 1]
I was standin' on a corner
When I heard my bulldog bark
He was barkin' at the two men
Who was gamblin' in the dark

[Verse 2]
It was Stagger Lee and Billy
Two men who gamble late
Stagger Lee threw seven
Billy swore that he threw eight

[Verse 3]
Stagger Lee told Billy
"Man, please don't you go in back
You have won all my money
And my brand new Stetson hat"

[Bridge 1]
Go, go, go, Stag, hey
Ah, yeah
Mercy!

[Verse 4]
Stagger Lee went home
And he got his .44
He said, "I'm goin' to the barroom
Just to pay back debt I owe"

[Bridge 2]
Gimme another drink, bartender
Hey, ho
Hey, ho
Hey, ho
Hey

[Verse 5]
Stagger Lee went to the barroom
And he stood across the barroom floor
He said, "Now, don't nobody move"
Then he pulled his .44
[Verse 6]
Stagger Lee saw Billy
"Man, please don't you take my life
I got three little children
And a very sickly wife"

[Bridge 3]
Better believe it
Hey, ho
Hey
Hey, ho
Ah, yeah

[Verse 7]
Stagger Lee shot Billy
Man, he shot that poor boy so bad
'Til the bullet went through Billy
And it broke the bartender's glass

[Outro]
Hey, ho
Hey

Mmm, yeah

Well, that was the story of Stagger Lee
That'll teach you about gamblin'
Hey, ho
Hey
Hey, ho
Hey
Hey, ho
Ah, yes