Stagger Lee
It was after Christmas in St. Louis in 1895.
Stagger Lee went drinking with Billy the Lion –
only one survived.
Billy the Lion was the dealer, Stagger Lee was the blind,
Stagger Lee had three bullets,
Billy the Lion had four of a kind.
Stagger Lee killed Billy over a Stetson hat,
yes Stagger Lee killed Billy over that.
Billy said “you’re nothing but a fancy man –
we’ll settle this debt with the hat on your head,
no payment plan”
Stagger said “I’ll show you what kind of fancy man I am”.
He emptied his lead right into his head
and ordered up turkey and ham.
Stagger Lee killed Billy over a Stetson hat,
yes Stagger Lee killed Billy over that.
While Billy the Lion lay dead in the saloon
they carried on drinking til the next afternoon.
Stagger was so mighty, so strong
the sheriff would not arrest him.
Even the priest would not condemn his wrong.
Stagger Lee killed Billy over a Stetson hat,
yes Stagger Lee killed Billy over that.
Stagger ran for office in the fall.
He blackmailed the money,
he extorted it all.
He was Congressman, then Governor,
then President Elect.
He tore up the constitution,
he said, “I will protect you better”.
Stagger Lee killed Billy over a Stetson hat,
yes Stagger Lee killed Billy over that.
Stagger Lee was poisoned in Henderson, Nevada,
became a symbol of democracy –
a pinup, a martyr.
He Charleston’d into Hell
joining Billy the Lion.
He froze the Devil’s flames
and said, “The Kingdom:
it’s now all mine”.
Stagger Lee killed Billy over a Stetson hat,
yes Stagger Lee killed Billy over that.