Nineteen forty, Xmas eve, with the full moon over town Stagger Lee shot Billy DeLyon and he blew that poor boy down Do you know what he shot him for, what do you make of that 'Cause Billy DeLyon threw lucky dice, won Stagger Lee's stetson hat Baio, Baio, tell me how can this be You go arrest the girls for turning tricks but you're scared of Stagger Lee Stagger Lee is a mad man, and he shot my Billy dead Baio go get him, or give the job to me Delia, Delia, dear sweet Delia D How the hell can I arrest him, when he's twice as big as me Well don't ask me to go downtown, I wouldn't come back alive Not only is that mother big, he packs a forty five Baio, Delia said, just give me a gun He shot my Billy dead and now I'm gonna see him hung She waded to DeLyon's club through Billy DeLyon's blood Stepped up to Stagger Lee at the bar, said buy me a gin fizz love As Stagger Lee lit a cigarette, she shot him in the balls Blew the smoke off her revolver, had him dragged to City Hall Baio, Baio, see you hang him high He shot my Billy dead and now he's got to die Delia went a-walking down on Singapore Street Three piece band on the corner played 'nearer my God to thee' But Delia whistled a different tune, what tune could it be The song that woman sang was look out Stagger Lee The song that Delia sang was look out Stagger Lee
Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission