From the book, "The Blues Line" - a collection of blues lyrics in a survey of sorts (Eric Sackheim, Schirmer Press, 1973), here are lyrics to Billy Lyons and Stack O'Lee attributed to Furry Lewis. This version appears virtually word for word on a Dave Van Ronk recording from the 60's. ^^

BILLY LYONS AND STACK O'LEE

I remember one September, on one Friday night,
Stack O'Lee and Billy Lyon, had a great fight,
Crying, when you lose your money, learn to lose.

Billy Lyon shot six bits; Stack O'Lee bet he passed,
Stack O'Lee out with his forty-five, said "You done shot your last."
When you lose your money, learn to lose.

Lord, a woman came a-running, fell down on her knees,
Crying, "O Mister Stack O'Lee, don't shoot my brother, please."
When you lose your money--

Now you talking about some gambler, oughta seen Richard Lee,
Shot one thousand dollars, and come out on a three,
Crying, when you lose your money, learn to lose.

Lord, the judge told the sheriff, "We want him dead or alive.
How in the world can we bring him in, when he totes a forty-five?"
When you lose your money, learn to lose.

Lord, the woman told the judge, "My husband's name Jack Shelf.
Wanna 'rest poor Stack O'Lee, better go somewheres else."
When you lose your money, learn to lose.


I am not at all confident that the form of these lyrics will remain in "stanza" form once I submit. If someone would send me message on my personal page as to "how to force the end of line" when typing lyrics, I would appreciate it. I'm sure I read about it somewhere in the past, but cannot recall.

Thanks in advance,

DW

HTML line breaks added --JoeClone, 29-Sep-01.