[Verse 1]

It could been on a rainy morning, could been on a rainy night

Stagger Lee and Billy DeLyon had a great big fight

Oh, the bad man, cruel Stagger Lee

[Verse 2]

Mr. DeLyon told Stagger Lee, Please don't take my life

I've got two little babes and a darling, loving wife"

Oh, the bad man, cruel Stagger Lee

[Verse 3]

"Oh, now what do I care about two little babes and a darling, loving wife?

You done stole my Stetson hat, I'm gonna take your life"

Oh, the bad man, cruel Stagger Lee

[Verse 4]

Stagger Lee shot Billy, shot the boy so bad

The bullet went through Billy and broke the bartender's looking glass

Oh, the bad man, cruel Staggеr Lee

[Verse 5]

And, police officer, you tell mе, how can this be?

You arrest everybody but cruel Stagger Lee

Oh, the bad man, cruel Stagger Lee

[Verse 6]

Gentlemans of the jury, tell me, what do you think of that?

Stagger Lee shot a man about a five-dollar Stetson hat

Oh, the bad man, cruel Stagger Lee

[Verse 7]

He's standing on the gallows with his head way up high

A 12 o'clock, they killed him, they's all glad to see him die

Oh, the bad man, cruel Stagger Lee

[Verse 8]

It could been on a rainy morning, could been on a rainy night

Stagger Lee and Billy DeLyon had a great big fight

Oh, the bad man, cruel Stagger Lee