It was early early one mornin' Boys I heard that fool dog bark
He was barkin' at the two men Who were gamblin in the dark
It was Stagolee & Billy Lion Boys, they were gamblin that early day
Every time stag drew a 7, Billy Lion drew an 8
Stagolee lost all his money and he Lost his new cadilac
He said I believe your cheatin' And you know I won't stand for that
Stagolee went home & he knocked up on Bertha's door
He said wake up pretty baby & hand me my forty-four
You know Bertha rose out of bed screamin She was lookin him dead smack in the eye
She said come on in honey I can see some poor man's gonna die
Then Stagolee told Bertha That he had lost his new cadilic
But he believed he was cheated & she knew he wouldn't go for that
Stagolee went back on the corner & stood up in the barroom door
Said don't nobody move Cuz I got me my forty-four
Stagolee cried Billy & he shot the poor boy so fast
The bullet went through Billy & it broke the bartenders glass
Then Billy Lion started holler Sayin Stagolee don't take my life
You know I got two little children & a poor little old sickly wife
Stagolee told Billy Yeah I know you got a cute little boy & girl
If you want to see your family Billy, You'll have to meet 'em in another world
