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 barking at the two men Who were gambling 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 went home And he got his .44 Said, "I'm going to the bar room Just to pay that debt I owe" (go'n Stagger Lee) Stagger Lee went to the bar room And he stood across the bar room door Said, "Now 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 very sickly wife" Stagger Lee shot Billy Oh, he shot that poor boy so bad 'Til the bullet came through Billy And it broke the bartender's glass Now look out, Stagg, come on Get out of here Stagg Police is coming Go'n now Stagg