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Stagger Lee, or Stagolee (among other variants), is an American folk song about the murder of Billy Lyons by "Stag" Lee Shelton on the Christmas 1895. Published in 1911 and first recorded in 1923 by Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians. Arranged and recorded by Dave Van Ronk in 1962 Fingerpicked, alternating bass when playing C. [Intro] C C C C F F C G C [Verse 1]
CI remember one September CCold and frosty night CMr. Stackerlee and Billy DeLyons Fhad a great fight, crime When youC lose your Gmoney, learn to Close
[Verse 2]
COld Stackerlee shot six bits CBilly Lyons bet he pass CStackerlee out with his .45 CSays, "FYou done shot your last" FWhen you Close your Gmoney, learn to Close
[Verse 3]
CLord, a woman comes runnin' CFell down on her knees CCrying "Lordy-Lord Mr. Stackerlee, CDon't you Fshoot my brother, please" FWhen you Close your Gmoney... C
[Interlude] C C F F G G C C C C F F G G C C [Verse 4]
CTalk about some gambler COutta see my Richard Lee CHe shot one thousand dollars CAnd he Fcome out on a three, crime FWhen you Close your Gmoney... C
[Verse 5]
CWell Ole Stackerlee got his pistol CBoy he got it fast CShot poor Billy through and through CAnd he Fbroke a lookin' glass, cry FWhen you Close your Gmoney... C
[Verse 6]
CWell the deputy says to the Sheriff C"You want him dead or alive? CHow in the world are we gonna bring him in CWhen he Ftotes that .45?" FWhen you Close your Gmoney... C
[Verse 7]
COld deputy leaves the office CPuts his pistol on the shelf C"You want to go and get that bad man CBetter Fdo it by yourself" FWhen you Close your Gmoney... C
[Verse 8]
CWell they sent for the militia CWagons come CLoaded up with pistols CAnd a Fgreat big Gatlin' gun, crime FWhen you Close your Gmoney, learn to Close
[Verse 9]
CWell the Judge says to Mr. Stackerlee C"Mr. Bad Man Stackerlee CGonna hang your body up CAnd Fset your spirit free" FWhen you Close your Gmoney, learn to Close
[Verse 10]
CWell he's standin' on his gallows CHead way up high CTwelve O'clock we killed him CI was Fglad to see him die, cry FWhen you Close your Gmoney... C
[Verse 11]
CWell there's a great big rumblin' underground CMama, what is that? CAin't nothin' but Ole Stackerlee down in Hell CWith his FJohn B. Stetson hat, cry FWhen you Close your Gmoney, learn to Close
[Verse 12]
CWell Stack says to the Devil C"Devil let's just have some fun CYou stab me with your pitchfork Cand I'll Fshoot you with my gun" FWhen you Close your Gmoney, learn to Close
[Verse 13]
CWell Stack says to the Devil C"Put your pitchfork on the shelf CI'm that bad man they call Stackerlee CI'm gonna Frule hell by myself" FWhen you Close your Gmoney, learn to Close