Van Ronk's version is clearly based on Furry Lewis' song BILLY LYONS AND STACK O'LEE, which was posted earlier in this thread, here. However, Lewis' version contains only 6 verses, to Van Ronk's 13. So did Van Ronk invent 7 new verses? Or did Lewis sing more verses that we don't have? Or did Van Ronk get them somewhere else?


STACKALEE
As recorded by Dave Van Ronk on "Folksinger" (1963)

1. I remember one September, cold and frosty night,
Mister Stacker Lee and Billy de Lyons had a great fight,
Cryin' when you lose your money, learn to lose.

2. Old Stacker Lee shot six bits; Billy Lyons' bet he pass.
Stacker Lee out with his forty-five, says, "You done shot your last."
When you lose your money, learn to lose.

3. Lord, a woman comes a-runnin', fell down on her knees,
Cryin' "Lordy, Lord, Mister Stacker Lee, don't shoot my brother, please!"
When you lose your money—

4. Talk about some gambler, ought to see my Richard Lee.
He shot one thousand dollars and he come out on a three,
Cryin' when you lose your money, learn to lose.

5. Well ol' Stacker Lee got his pistol, ... got it fast,
Shot poor Billy through and through and he broke her lookin'-glass,
Cryin' when you lose your money—

6. Well the deputy says to the sheriff: "You want him dead or alive?
How in the world we gonna bring him in when he totes that forty-five?"
When you lose your money—

7. Old deputy leaves the office, puts his pistol on the shelf.
"You want to go and get that bad man, better do it by yourself."
When you lose your money—

8. Well they sent for the militia; wagons come,
Loaded up with pistols and a great big Gatlin' gun,
Cryin' when you lose your money, learn to lose.

9. Well the judge says to Mister Stacker Lee, "Mister bad-man Stacker Lee,
Gonna hang your body up and set your spirit free."
When you lose your money, learn to lose.

10. Well he's standin' on his gallows, head way up high.
Twelve o'clock we killed him; I was glad to see him die,
Cryin' when you lose your money—

11. Well there's a great big rumblin' underground; "Mama, what is that?"
"Ain't nothin' but old Stacker Lee down in hell with his John B Stetson hat."
Cryin' when you lose your money, learn to lose.

12. Well Stack says to the devil: "Devil, let's us have some fun.
You stab me with a pitchfork and I'll shoot you with my gun."
When you lose your money, learn to lose.

13. Well Stack says to the devil: "Put your pitchfork on the shelf.
I'm that bad man they call Stacker Lee; I'm gonna rule hell by myself."
When you lose your money, learn to lose.