Stagger Lee met Billy
And they got down to gambling
Stagger Lee throwed seven
Billy said that he throwed eight
So Billy said, "Hey Stagger
I'm gonna make my big attack
I'm gonna have to leave my knife
In your back"
Why do you try to cheat, and trample people under your feet?
Don't you know it is wrong to cheat a trying man?
Don't you know it is wrong to cheat the trying man?
So you better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
You lie, steal, cheat and deceit in such a small, small game
Don't you know it is wrong to cheat a trying man?
Don't you know it is wrong to cheat a trying man?
You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
Billy boy has been shot and Stagger Lee's come out on top
Don't you know it is wrong to cheat a trying man?
Don't you know it is wrong to cheat Stagger, man?
You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
So you must start all over again, all over again
Don't you know it is wrong, play it Billy, play
Don't you know it is wrong, play it Billy, play
And you will find it is the right 'em boyo
But if you must lie and deceit and trample people under your feet
Don't you know it is wrong to cheat a trying man?
Don't you know it is wrong to cheat a trying man?
You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
It is the wrong 'em boyo
