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 barkin' at the two men. Who were gamblin' 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 forty-four. Said I'm goin' to the barroom. Just to pay that debt I owe. Go Stagger Lee. Stagger Lee went to the barroom. And he stood across the barroom door. He said nobody move. And he pulled his forty-four. Stagger Lee cried Billy. Oh please don't take my life. I've three little children. And a very sickly wife. Stagger Lee shot Billy. Oh he shot that poor boy so bad. Till the bullet came through Billy. And it broke the bartender's glass