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 started off
Goin down that railroad track
He said, I can't get you Billy
But don't be here when I come back