Origins: Stagger Lee / Stack O'Lee / etc.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee / Stack O'Lee / etc.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 05:33 PM

The first Sternwheel Steamboat Stacker Lee was steaming in and about Memphis in the late 1880s, her captain being Stacker Lee of the Lee Line family. There was a third Stacker Lee still steaming around in the 1920s.

Now it's unlikely that this captain was the fella who murdered poor Billy De Lyons. More likely it was a pimp who was nick-named after the steamboat. And whether the murder took place in St. Louis or Memphis is not exactly nailed down.

However, here are some interesting notes from the Lee Line Steamers website:

"The Stacker Lee was named after Capt. Jim Lee's son Samuel Stacker Lee. Stacker Lee served as captain on several Lee boats.   The Stacker Lee was called Stack-o-Dollars by her crew because she was a very profitable boat for the Lee Line. Son Stacker at 16 rode with Nathan Bedford Forrest during the war of northern agression or Civil War depending on your point of view. Stacker was known to live large, pursue women and drink. Later in life he settled down, married and had a son Samuel Stacker Lee, Jr."

Cheerily,
Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee / Stack O'Lee / etc.
From: GUEST, Paul Slade
Date: 22 Oct 15 - 07:47 AM

The enlightenment you seek can be found here.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee / Stack O'Lee / etc.
From: Lighter
Date: 22 Oct 15 - 06:48 AM

Simply as a point of interest regarding the "electric chair" in the 1920 text, as well as in some versions of "Frankie & Johnny": Although the electric chair was invented in 1890, it was not adopted as a method of execution in the United States until some years later. It was thought to be more humane than hanging.

Acc. to Wikipedia (which seems trustworthy here), the first state to adopt the electric chair was Ohio in 1897.

Missouri, the locale of both ballads, has never used the chair for executions.

Billy Lyons was shot by Lee Sheldon on Dec. 29, 1895; and Frankie Baker by Alan Britt on Oct. 15, 1899.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee / Stack O'Lee / etc.
From: Lighter
Date: 10 Jan 14 - 05:31 PM

Anybody ever heard or seen "Stack O'Lee: words and music *re-written* by the Three White Kuhns [sic]", copyrighted by Sunlight Music, Chicago onOct. 27, *1910* ?

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee / Stack O'Lee / etc.
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Jan 14 - 04:16 PM

Lyr. Add: STAGOLEE DONE KILL DAT BULLY
From Georgia; Odum and Johnson.

I got up one mornin' jes' 'bout four o'clock;
Stagolee shot bully; bully fell down on de flo',
Bully cry out: "dat fohty-fo' it hurts me so."
Stagolee done kill dat bully now.

Sent for de wagon, wagon didn't come,
Loaded down with pistols an' all dat gatlin' gun.
Stagolee done kill dat bully now.

Some give a nickel, some give a dime;
I didn't give a red copper cent, 'cause he's no friend o' mine.
Stagolee done kill dat bully now.

Fohty dollar coffin, eighty dollar hack,
Carried po' man to cemetery but failed to bring him back,
Ev'rybody been dodgin' Stagolee.

Pp. 197-198, no musical score.
Howard W. Odum and Guy B. Johnson, 1925, "The Negro and His Songs," Univ. North Carolina Press (reprinted Negro Universities Press).

Subject: Lyr Add: STACK-O-LEE (from Tennessee Ernie Ford)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Jan 14 - 12:25 AM

STACK-O-LEE
As recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford, on Capitol 1349, 1951.

CHORUS: Stack-O-Lee, Stack-O-Lee, he was a gamblin' man, as ev'rybody ought to know.
Stack-O-Lee, Stack-O-Lee got a Stetson hat and a blazin' forty-fo'.

I was hangin' round the levee along about the break of day,
When I hear two gentlemen arguin'; I listen to the words they say.
It was Stack-O-Lee and Billy a-gamblin' awful late.
Stack-O-Lee he throwed a seven and Billy said he throwed an eight.

Stack-O-Lee he looked at Billy, said, "You can't get away with that.
'Tain't enough you win my money, but to win my lucky Stetson hat."
Stack-O-Lee run home to his woman, said, "Fetch me my forty-four.
Gonna fix old Billy's wagon so he don't gamble wrong no more."

CHORUS

Stack-O-Lee he found poor Billy; Billy pleaded for his life.
"Have some mercy on my children; have mercy on my darlin' wife."
Stack-O-Lee shot poor old Billy; he plugged him in the side,
Then he kept on pumpin' bullets till poor old Billy died.

Well, they caught old Stack next mornin'; they strung him up a tree,
And the women dressed in mournin' and cried for Stack-O-Lee.
Had a hundred-dollar fun'ral with preachin' Parson Brown,
Then the undertaker got him and stuck him in the ground.

CHORUS

When the devil see Stack comin', he holler, "Now listen to me.
Hide the children and the money, 'cause Stack-O-Lee is worse than me."
Stack-O-Lee grabbed hold of the devil and he threw him up on the shelf.
Said, "Your workin' days are over; I'm a-gonna run the place myself."

CHORUS

Stack-O-Lee, Stack-O-Lee, Stack-O-Lee, ain't gonna gamble no more.

Subject: Lyr Add: STACK-A-LEE (Archibald / Leon T Gross)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 06:38 PM

This song also occupied both sides of a 78-rpm record. It was also issued as a 45.


STACK-A-LEE
As recorded by Archibald (Leon T. Gross) on Imperial 5358, 1950.

[Part 1]

I was standin' on the corner when I heard my bulldog bark.
They were barkin' at the two men who were gamblin' in the dark.

That was Stack-A-Lee and Billy, two mens who gambled late.
Stack-A-Lee throwed seven; Billy swore that he throwed eight.

Stack-A-Lee told Billy, "I can't leave you go with that.
You done won all my money and my brand-new Stetson hat."

Stack-A-Lee went runnin' down that lonesome track.
"I won't kill you now, Billy, but don't be here when I come back."

Stack-A-Lee went home and he got his forty-fo',
Says, "I'm goin' to the barroom just to pay that debt I owe."

Stack-A-Lee went to the barroom and he stood across the barroom do',
Says, "Don't nobody move 'cause I got my forty-fo'."

Now old Billy told Stack, "Oh, please don't take my life.
I got three little children and a very sickly wife."

Stack-A-Lee shot Billy; oh, he shot that poor boy so fast,
The bullet went through poor Billy and it broke the bartender glass.

[Part 2]

Stack-A-Lee went round the corner and they shot Stack in his side.
Stack-A-Lee went stumblin' in his mother do'.

He said, "Mother, O Mother, won't you turn me over slow?
I been jabbed in my left side with a police forty-fo'."

When all the ladies heard that Stack, oh, Stack-A-Lee was dead,
Some come dressed in orange color and some come dressed in red.

Stack-A-Lee went to the devil to identify poor Billy's soul,
But the poor boy was absent; he had burnt down to charcoal.

Now the devil heard a rumblin', a mighty rumblin' under the ground.
Said, "That must be mister Stack turnin' Billy upside down."

Now they sit the devil pick on top o' the devil's shelf.
Say, "If you want Mister Stack you go and get him by yourself."

- - -
This recording rose to #10 on the Billboard R&B chart. Lloyd Price recorded a shortened version in 1958 which topped both the R&B and US Pop charts in 1959. Dr. John recorded it more recently.

Subject: Lyr Add: STACK O'LEE BLUES (Johnny Dodds)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 04:34 PM

The tune on this one is the same as the familiar "Frankie and Johnny."


STACK O'LEE BLUES
As recorded by Johnny Dodds and His Chicago Boys on Decca 1676, 1938.

It was one cold and stormy night.
Stack O'Lee and Billy had a fight.
Stack got his gun, boy; he got it fast,
Shot poor Billy; the bullet broke the glass.
Oh, Stack O'Lee, oh, Stack O'Lee.

Stack O'Lee shot Billy once.
His body fell to the floor.
The can-can dancers rushed for the door.
Billy cried, "Stack, don't shoot me no more."
Oh, Stack O'Lee, mean Stack O'Lee.

Billy cried, "Stack, spare my life.
I've got two babies and a wife."
Stack said, "Bless your children; doggone your wife.
I'm gonna steal your life."
Oh, Stack O'Lee, please, Mister Stack O'Lee,

Stack went to sleep in the jail.
Billy's ghost made an awful wail.
Stack dreamed the devil said, "Hunt your hole,
'Cause I've come to get your soul."
Poor Stack O'Lee, poor Stack O'Lee.

- - -
"Hunt your hole" was new to me, but it seems to have been a common expression meaning "You'd better hide."

Subject: Lyr Add: STACK O'LEE BLUES (Mississippi John Hurt)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 12:08 AM

STACK O'LEE BLUES
As sung by Mississippi John Hurt on Okeh 8654, 1928.

Police officer, how can it be?
You can 'rest ev'rybody but cruel Stack O'Lee,
That bad man, oh cruel Stack O'Lee.

Billy deLyon told Stack O'Lee, "Please don't take my life.
I got two little babes and a darlin' lovin' wife."
That bad man, oh cruel Stack O'Lee.

"What I care 'bout your two little babes, your darlin' lovin' wife?
You done stole my Stetson hat; I'm bound to take your life."
That bad man, oh cruel Stack O'Lee.

Hmm-hmm....

Boom-boom, boom-boom, went a forty-four,
But when I spied Billy deLyon, he's lyin' down in the floor.
That bad man, oh cruel Stack O'Lee.

"Gentlemens of the jury, what d'you think of that?
Stack O'Lee killed Billy deLyon 'bout a five-dollar Stetson hat,
That bad man, oh cruel Stack O'Lee."

Standin' on the gallows, head way up high,
At twelve o'clock they killed him; they's all glad to see him die,
That bad man, oh cruel Stack O'Lee.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Lighter
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 08:16 AM

It's about an opium addict.

A "stem" was an opium pipe, and opium for smoking has a tar-like consistency. Smoking required an "opium lamp," and the process of
vaporizing was known as "cooking a pill."

"Hop" was once a familiar slang term for opium.

"Cooking with steam" jokingly compares opium preparation with ordinary "steam cooking."

Subject: Lyr Add: STACK O' LEE (Cliff Edwards)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 12:36 AM

This song took up both sides of a 78-rpm record. You can hear both sides at YouTube:

STACK O' LEE
As recorded by Ukulele Ike (Cliff Edwards) on Columbia 1820-D, 1928.

Part 1.

1. Listen, folks; I'm gonna tell you a story you've never heard.
It's all about a high yellow colored man; there's truth in every word.
I'm talkin' 'bout the man called Stack o' Lee.

2. It was in Saint Louis on Pine Street; that's rezactly where it was at.
Stack up an' shot himself a competin' colored man on account of a dirty old Stetson hat,
And from then on they called him Hard Luck Stack o' Lee.

3. The sheriff came up and said: "Hello, Stack; let's have a little talk."
Then he throwed the handcuffs on his back and said: "Come on, buddy; let's walk."
Down to the jailhouse they took poor Stack o' Lee.

4. Stack's gal went to get some bond money, for somebody to go his bail.
She said: "There ain't a trick in this world that I wouldn't turn to get my Stack out o' jail."
Oh, how she loved her Stack o' Lee!

5. Next mornin' down in the courtroom, the judge sat down on the bench.
The first one to occupy the witness stand was old Stacko's sweet lovin' wench.
She said: "I'm gonna argue with the jury for Stack o' Lee."

6. The judge got up and called the sentence; his eyes was filled with tears.
He said: "I'm gonna be good to you this time, Stack; I'm only gonna give you sixty-nine years.
You've got plenty o' time now, Stack o' Lee."

7. They told him, said: "Don't ever sharpen your razor; brother, don't shave your face.
Don't ever ask anybody the hour of the day, 'cause you ain't goin' noplace.
You're in here from now on, Stack o' Lee."

8. This song is just about half through; to get it all on here, I've tried.
You better stop your machine, turn your record over, and play the other side,
And you'll hear some more of the song called Stack o' Lee.

Part 2

9. Stack-o's gal was a good gal, 'most ev'rybody knows.
She said: "I gotta go and get myself a lot o' bucks to buy Stack some new prison clo'es.
Anyway I must provide for Stack o' Lee."

10. But one mornin' she began to moan. Great God, how she cried!
She got a letter from the jailhouse, said: "Lady, your Stack has died.
He just up and kicked the bucket, did Stack o' Lee."

11. She went out and got a big rubber-tire hearse; she got a little ol' lonesome hack,
Took him on out to the graveyard, laid him right down on his back,
And then they kicked a lot o' dirt on the face of Stack o' Lee.

12. A man standin' by said, "Last night while I was sleepin', I had myself an awful dream.
If you got some tar, I got the stem and lamp; I'll show you just how to cook with steam.
I might as well hop right along with Stack o' Lee."

13. But finally, one might say, eventually, Stack o' Lee's gal died.
The last thing she said was that she wanted to be buried right by his side.
She said: "I wants my body to cool with Stack o' Lee."

14. She had a common ordinary fun'ral; she was planted right down by his side.
On the monument read this inscription: "These riders rode their last ride."
And that is the story of the man called Stack o' Lee."

- - -
I have no idea what verse 12 is about.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Lighter
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 08:45 PM

Great link! Thanks!

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: voyager
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 08:32 PM

This thread is why I am a Mudcatter (20 years or so).....

Stagolee - The Crime Report

The hangman put the mask on,
tied his hands behind his back
sprung the trap on Stagolee
but his neck refused to crack

voyager

Subject: Lyr Add: STACK-O-LEE (from Fruit Jar Guzzlers)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 07:37 PM

STACK-O-LEE
As recorded by the Fruit Jar Guzzlers (a.k.a. The Pan Handle Boys) on Broadway 8199, 1928.

Oh, Stack-O-Lee went downtown with a forty-four in his hand,
Lookin' around for old Bill Lyons, killed for every hand(?),
All about that broad-brimmed Stetson hat.

So Stack-O-Lee in a barroom and he ordered just some beer,
Looked around into Billy Lyon's face, said: "What are you doin' here?"
This Stack-O-Lee, that bad man Stack-O-Lee.

Stack-O-Lee, said Stack-O-Lee, "Oh, please don't take my life.
Have ... children, sweet little lovin' wife.
I'm a lookin' for my honey on the next train."

"God bless your children; I'll take care of your wife.
You stole my John B. Stetson hat; I'm bound to take your life."
All about that broad-brimmed Stetson hat.

Shot Billy deLyons and he shot him right through the head.
Took one loving shot to kill that poor boy dead.
He's a bad man, oh, bad man Stack-O-Lee.

Here come the high sheriff, getting a long...
"Look-a here, boys; can you tell me just where'd Stack-O-Lee go?"
He's a bad man but he ought to be in jail.

One little boy walked up, said: "Sheriff, he went down the road.
Great God! in his right hand, a great big forty-four.
He's a bad man; for God's sake, let him go."

Billy Lyon said: "Mother gray, God, don't weep nor cry.
Old Bill Lyons said: "Mother, I'm bound to die."
All about that broad-brimmed Stetson hat.

Stack-O-Lee said: "Judge, have a little pity on me.
One old gray-haired mother dear, she's left to weep for me."
All about that John B. Stetson hat.

That judge said: "Stack-O-Lee, gonna have a little pity on you,
Give you twenty-five years in that penitentiary."
All about that John B. Stetson hat.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Lighter
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 07:32 PM

From the magazine "Current Opinion" (Feb., 1920), p. 246 (reprinted from "Reedy's Mirror")

Stackerlee: A Missouri Folk Song

On one cold and frosty Christmas night,
Stackerlee and Billy Lyons had an awful fight--
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Said Billy Lyons to Stackerlee, "Don't you take my life,—
Remember my two children and my loving wife."
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

"Care nothing 'bout your children, care nothing 'bout your wife,
You spit in my Stetson hat, and I'm going to take your life." — Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Billy Lyons, Billy Lyons, staggered through the door,
'Cause Stackerlee had got him with his great big forty-four.—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Dogs did howl, dogs did bark,
When Stackerlee, the murderer, went creeping through the dark.—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Dogs did howl, and trees did moan:
I think he whispered "Mother," as he went by his home.—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Sergeant and two policemen, Stackerlee behind a tree:
Sergeant said to Stackerlee: "Better come along with me."—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Up in the jail cells, Stackerlee in despair,
He hears them repairing that old electric chair.—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Little Lillie Sheldon, when she first heard the news,
She was sittin' on her bedside, just alacin' up her shoes.—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

She wired to Stackerlee, "Don't you weep or moan:
Your honey-babe will get you out of jail, if she has to sell her home."—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

In answer to her message, this is what she read:
"Where shall we send the body? Your Stackerlee is dead."—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Rubber tires on the carriages, rubber tires on the hacks,
Took old Stack to the cemetery, never to bring him back.—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Rounders, Rounders, you take my advice:
Stop your drinking whiskey, stop your shaking dice.—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Stackerlee, Stackerlee, what do you think of that?
Killed old Billy Lyons over a damned old Stetson hat.—
Everybody talk about Stackerlee!

What a bold bad man he must be:
With his forty-four and his bowie-knife, never hesitate for to take your life.—
Oh, everybody talk about Stackerlee!

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Lighter
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 04:42 PM

Lee seems first to be mentioned as an officer, not a captain, in the "Appeal" in 1867.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Lighter
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 04:34 PM

Concerning riverboat Captain Stack Lee (not the badman):

Public Ledger (Memphis, Tenn.) (Aug. 4, 1875), p. 3:

THE QUICKSTEP ...

Captain Stack Lee will Wake 'em
Up, After making them Hop
with the Gallant Phil
Allin.

Captain Stack Lee starts out to day with the staunch and elegant steamer Quickstep, in the Friar's Point trade in place of the Phil Allin, the latter going to the bank to be put in complete order for the fall season. ...[Etc.]

Advertisement, Memphis Daily Appeal (Nov. 14, 1876), p. 4:

"U.S. Mail - for Arkansas City, Chicot, Napoleon, Friars Point and Helena.
The elegant passenger packet PHIL ALLIN [sic]

"Stacker [sic] Lee ... master
Making all Way Landings in the Bends.
Leaves every Monday and Thursday at 5 o'clock p.m."

Same, Dec. 13, 1877, p. 4:

"For Friars Point.

"Lee Line Steamers!
Carrying United States Mail.
Str. Coahona.
Stacker Lee....master/ E. R. Thomas....clerk."

Evidently he was "Stack" for short.

Subject: Lyr Add: ORIGINAL STACK O'LEE BLUES (Reed/Hull)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 03:50 PM

ORIGINAL STACK O'LEE BLUES
As sung by Long "Cleve" Reed and Little Harvey Hull, on Black Patti 8030-B, 1927.

Stack O'Lee was a bully; he bullied all his life.
Well, he bullied to Chicago town with a ten-cent pocket knife.
And he's gone, Stack O'Lee.

Stack said to Billy: "How can it be
You arrest a man ... as me, but you won't 'rest Stack O'Lee?"
And he's gone, Stack O'Lee.

Stack says to Billy: "Don't you take my life.
Well, I ain't got none but two little children and a darlin' lovin' wife
And he's gone, Stack O'Lee.

"One is a boy and the other'n is a girl."
"Well, you may see your children again but it'll be in another world."
And he's gone, Stack O'Lee.

Standing on a corner, well, I didn't mean no harm.
Well, a policeman caught me; well, he grabbed me by my arm.
And he's gone, Stack O'Lee.

Stack O'Lee and Billy had a noble fight.
Well, Stack O'Lee killed Billy deLyon one cold dark stormy night.
And he's gone, Stack O'Lee.

Standing on a hilltop a dog begin to bark.
Well, it wasn't nothin' but Stack O'Lee come creeping in the dark.
And he's gone, Stack O'Lee.

- - -
This recording is on several albums that can be heard at Spotify. On one of them, the artist is called "Big Boy Cleveland."

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Lighter
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 12:26 PM

Just coincidentally I read Lester's tale of Stagolee a few days ago.

It's pretty funny.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: voyager
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 11:02 AM

"Stagolee was, undoubtedly and without question, the baddest nigger that ever lived. Stagolee was so bad that the flies wouldn't even fly around his head in the summertime, and snow wouldn't fall on his house in the winter."

– Julius Lester, "Black Folktales.

The Song and the Myth of Stagger Lee

237 Recorded Versions of Stagger Lee

I learned John Hurt's syncopated, fingerstyle version when I was a lad and have played this tune for 50 years. I always wanted to add
my own verse along the lines of -

The judge told ol' Stagger Lee
Man, you're going to Hell
Stagger Lee just looked at him
Said - Judge I'll see you there as well

voyager

Subject: Lyr Add: STACKALEE (from Frank Hutchinson)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 12:46 AM

Another early version.

STACKALEE
As recorded by Frank Hutchinson on Okeh 45106, 1927.

On an alley one dark and drizzly night
Billy Lyons and Stackalee had one terrible fight
All about that John B. Stetson hat.

Stackalee walked to the barroom and he called a glass o' beer.
He turned around to Billy Lyons, said: "What are you doin' here?"
"Waitin' for the train; please bring woman home.

"Stackalee, oh Stackalee, please don't take my life.
I've got three little childern and a weepin' lovin' wife.
You're a bad man, bad man Stackalee."

"God bless your childern; I'll take care o' your wife.
You stole my John B., and I'm bound to take your life,
All about that John B. Stetson hat."

Stackalee turned to Billy Lyons and he shot him right through the head.
Only taken one shot to kill Billy Lyons dead,
All about that John B. Stetson hat.

Sent for the doctor, well the doctor he did come.
"This morning(?), oh Stackalee, now what have you done?
You're a bad man, bad man Stackalee."

Six big horses and a rubber-tired hack,
They taken him to the cemetery; they failed to bring him back,
All about that John B. Stetson hat.

[Spoken:] Lookin' for old Stackalee, then.

On an alley, I thought I heard a bulldog bark.
It must 'a' been old Stackalee stumblin' in the dark.
He's a bad man; gonna land him right back in jail.

[Spoken:] How'd they catch old Stackalee?

Five police walked on to Stackalee; he's lyin' fast asleep.
Five police ... Stackalee; he jumped for forty feet.
He's a bad man; gonna land him right back in jail.

Got old Stackalee, they led him way back in jail.
They couldn't get a man around to go Stackalee's bail,
All about that John B. Stetson hat.

Stackalee said to the jailer: "Jailer, I can't sleep.
Round my bedside, the lice begin to creep,
All about that John B. Stetson hat."

Subject: Lyr Add: STACK O'LEE BLUES (from Ma Rainey)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Jan 14 - 07:56 PM

This is the earliest vocal recording mentioning Stack O'Lee (however you spell it) I was able to identify. (There were a few earlier recordings of instrumental tunes called STACK O'LEE BLUES, done by the big jazz bands: Waring's Pennsylvanians, Frank Westphal and his Orchestra, and Herb Wiedoeft and his Orchestra, in 1923 and 1924.)

The tune is "Frankie and Johnny" and the refrain is very similar.


STACK O'LEE BLUES
As recorded by Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Paramount 12357, 1925.

Stack O'Lee was a bad man, ev'rybody knows,
And when they'd see Stack O'Lee comin', they'd give him the road.
He was my man, but he done me wrong.

Stack O'Lee, Stack O'Lee, was so desp'rate and bad,
He'd take ev'rything his woman(?) would bring, and ev'rything they had.
He was my man, but he done me wrong.

Stack O'Lee's on the warpath, and you'd better run.
Oh, Stack holds a Gatlin'(?) and he'll kill you just for fun.
He was my man, but he done do wrong.

Stack O'Lee's in jail now; had his face turned to the wall.
Dirty women and old corn whiskey was the cause of it all.
He was my man but he done you wrong.

A hundred-dollar coffin and a eighty-dollar hack
Carried him to the cemetery, but it did not bring him back.
He was my man but he done me wrong.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 07:48 PM

His final three verses are new to me, but may appear elsewhere.

Subject: Lyr Add: STACKALEE (Dave Van Ronk)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 06:10 PM

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.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: GUEST,an unknown cover... !
Date: 15 Mar 10 - 06:09 PM

by UK band Procol Harum in 1969 as Long Gone Geek which is the B-side
of A Salty Dog ;)
Songwriters: Gary Brooker/Matthew Fisher-lyrics by Keith Reid.
Mastermad (BE)

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 12 Sep 09 - 04:08 PM

Thanks MissouriMud for the research on the original GlobeDemocrat article. It's gratifying when an iconic song like this can be traced to its real roots.
I lived in the Central West End of St Louis from 2004-2006, and have great memories of my time there. I sure miss the concretes, Imo's pizza, and Saturday bicycle rides in Forest Park. Great town!

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 08:39 PM

Lyr. Add: Stackerlee
Bama, convict at Parchman

Now Stackerlee, he was a bad man
He wanted the round world to know
He toted a 32-20 and a smokeless 44.

Now Stackerlee, Lord, and Billy Lyon
They was gamblin' early one day
Stackerlee losin' money
And he throwed the cards away.

Now Stackerlee, he told Billy Lyon
"Billy, I'm sho' gonna take yo' life
You have winned my money, Stack
And I have found a foul dice."

Now Billy Lyon he told Stackerlee,
He says, "Stack, please don't take my life!
I have two little chillen
And my po' little weasely wife."

"Now one of them is a boy, Stack,
And the other one is a girl."
"But if you love yo' chillen, Billy Lyon,
You will have to meet them in the other world."

Now Stackerlee, he told Billy Lyon,
"Billy I thought you was a gambling man
You know you passed leads in the second
And you know you done fouled yo' hand."

Now Stackerlee, he shot Billy Lyon
Way down on the barroom flo'
It was early one mornin',
Just about fifteen to four.

Now Billy Lyon mother, she come runnin'
She said, "Lord, have mercy on my son
Po' Billy Lyon done got murdered
And I know he didn't have his gun!"

Alberta, Lord, Alberta
Baby don't you hear me calling you?
But you three times seven, Alberta,
And you know what you want to do.

I'm going to call up the undertaker
Lord, I'm going to ring up Mr. Moss
I'm going to ask those people
What will Alberta funeral cost.

I wants a two hundred dollar coffin
Lord, I wants a hundred dollar hearse
And that will put Alberta, I know,
Six feet in the earth.

Now give me water, Lord, when I'm thirsty,
Honey, give me whiskey when I'm dry
Give me Alberta when I need her
And Heaven when I die.

Now when I gets all up in Glory
Lord I'm gonna sit down on the golden stool
And I'm going to ask St. Gabriel
To blow me the "Worried Blues."

Somewhat confused version, but interesting nevertheless. Sung at Parchman Penitentiary, Mississippi, 1947, by a prisoner known as Bama.
Collector not named.
From "Stagger Lee," 2006, Derek McCulloch, drawn by Shepherd Hendrix, Image Comics.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: meself
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 03:07 PM

Somewhere I heard the subsequent verse as something like:

Stackalee looked at Billy,
Said, Man, I'm gonna take your life;
God'll take care of your children,
And I'll take care of your wife.
Oh, that bad man, etc.


(Now that is a bad man!)

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: MissouriMud
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 02:46 PM

Erikca - I am not familiar with a Stagolee verse that has those exact words - particularly the "Bad bad bad bad bad" - part - but a number of versions have verses that are close.

A version based on what McNeil collected from Vera Hall in 1947 for his Southern Folk Ballads goes:

Billy de Lyons said, "Stagolee
Please don't take my life
I've got two little babes at home
And a darling, loving wife;
You are a bad man You mean old Stagolee."

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 01:17 PM

Guest Erica-
Lomax and Lomax (1934) print a rather long version with similar lyrics, which they say is "being sung in the honky-tonks and barrelhouses throughout Texas and Louisiana today." The words were furnished by "Sullivan Rock, rounder and roustabout on the docks of New Orleans," with music by "Windy Billy of the Louisiana State Prison at Angola." Probably edited by the Lomaxes.
A few verses:

Stack took out his Elgin, looked direc'ly at the time
"I got an argument to settle wid that bad man, Billy Lyon."

"Kiss me, good woman, you may not see me when I come back."
And Stack went runnin' up that Great Northern track.

Well, he got outside in front of de barroom, an' he eased up to the door,
Billy Lyon had his 44 special, pacin' up an' down de floor.

Billy Lyon began to scream, "Stack, don't take my life,
I've got five lil helpless chilluns an' one po' pitiful wife."

He shot him three times in the forehead an' two times in de side,
Said, "I'm goin' keep on shootin' till Billy Lyon died."

Billy Lyon got glassy, an' he gapped and hung his head,
Stack say, "I know by expression on his face dat Billy Lyon dead."

Mrs. Billy she went runnin' and screamin': "Stack, I don' b'lieve it's so.
You an' my lil Billy been frien's since many long years ago."
etc.

Some 40 couplets in the version. Some of these later versions were highly embroidered.

Version B, pp. 96-99, "Stagolee," John A. and Alan Lomax, 1934, :American Ballads and Folk Songs, Macmillan Co.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: GUEST,Guest, Ericka Clare
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 03:14 PM

As a child, I grew up listening to my grandfather sing StackoLee while playing the guitar. Although I cannot remember it in its entirety; this is what I do know:   Billy said to Stackolee, please don't take my life, I've got three little children, and a mighty sickly wife, but he's bad, bad, bad, bad, bad Stackolee.   Has anyone ever heard of, or have information on this version. I would love to know more about it.   Thanks, Ericka

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: GUEST,Paul Slade
Date: 30 Aug 09 - 04:13 PM

Those skiffle lyrics kbr mentions are from Stack O'Lee Blues by Ken Colyer's Skiffle Group, released in 1955. It's available on a compilation CD called Skiffle At Its Best.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 Aug 09 - 03:25 PM

Missouri Mud, you describe the articles well. I have no need to get copies. Thanks for spending the time to look them up.
It would be interesting to see if the stories were more detailed at the time of the trial verdicts.

The Stetson may have shown up in reports of the trial.
Stetson hats were well thought of and in many styles, as you say. For a time they made they for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
I once had the style favored by President Truman which I picked up in a 'junktique' but gave it to my daughter for use in a play. I have 3-4 in the so-called Rancher style but seldom wear them anymore.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: MissouriMud
Date: 29 Aug 09 - 12:31 AM

I did go to the library and found the micro film of the original article in the Globe Democrat - I made a copy which is poor but if I can scan it and then somehow stick it into a message here I will.   For one thing the article is in the Dec 26, 1895 edition not the Dec 28 edition. A follow up story of the inquest (1 brief paragraph) is in the Dec 28 paper.   I also found an even briefer report of the shooting in the December 26 Post Dispatch.   There was a third newspaper available at the time but I ran out of time - I figured 2 was enough. Both articles initially mispell Shelton's name as Sheldon - which was later corrected.

In neither paper was the article prominently featured - in both it was basically buried in a "police blotter" type area sandwiched in among in among other shootings, stabbings etc - which were numerous but only briefly described in a short paragraph or two at most. I read in one web site that there were 6 shootings in St Louis on Christmas day that year - I didnt count them but there seemed to be a huge amount of violent crime being reported - so unless it was really sensational it ws pretty commonplace. Sad to say but if you were a minority I doint think they thought you normally were worth much press.   So in the Globe Democrat it is buried in the middle of page 11 with the minimal title "Shot in Curtis' Place - just as I had quoted in the prior post - right next to similar stories entitled "One Chinese Cuts Another" "QUARRELED ABOUT A MAN - Alice Roberts Disemboweled by Lulu Howard", "Officer Stabbed by Negro", "Shot By a Policeman" etc. The front page of the Globe Democrat was all national news - the War in Cuba and Washington legislation - very dry.

The Post Dispatch Article was similarly placed toward the rear of the news section, although it along with other local police doings there were listed to the side of the editorials and there was a certain amount of local crime on the front page, which was apparently deemed more interesting than this.   It is also adjacent to the Chinaman knifing story, and sevral other similar ones The Post Dispatch article bears the headline in fairly modest type: "SHOT IN A SALOON - Drinks and Politics Get a Bullet in William Lyons Stomach". The article is only 4 sentence,just slightly bigger than the space occupied by the headline, including two that read: "They were drinking and arguing about politics. War was discussed and Lyons was shot in the abdomen". No mention of the hat.

I think Stetson hats would have been common in Missouri at the time as in most parts of the country. I've seen nothing in the actual reports to identify Billy's hat as a Stetson but any person aspiring to be cool or wealthy would probably have wanted to have one.   So whether it is true or not in makes for a nice consistent story for the hat to be a Stetson. Stetson made more than just cowboy hats.   I have no idea when the reference first showed up.

Anyway if you want to see the original papers - I have them, but tell me how I can post them I did not track down other followup stories of the trial etc. There are sites that give the dates so it would be feasible, but I'm not planning to do it myself.

In terms of why the legend took off I can only speculate on a few possibilities a. among the St Louis black community the two men were well known and even were possibly representatives of rival political factions - at the inquest I gather there was a heated crowd, so I think the story resonated in the black community more than it did in the white press; b. if Sheldon did indeed take his hat and walk coolly out the door as reported by the Globe Dem - that bespeaks of a certain panache that could fuel the imagination, c. the subsequent trials may have been somewhat more publicized (possibly due in part to the prior reasons) - also Shelton got himself a fancy lawyer; d. the world was ready for an urban antihero

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Aug 09 - 06:08 PM

"Prof. Charlie Lee" ..."Stack-a-Lee" in variations"...

Now was the piano player referring to himself or to Lee Shelton??
Did he sing as well, or were these piano variations?
A pretty cryptic news item at this distance.

Yes, I would like to see the original Globe-Democrat item, although your quote seems normal for the times. Were there follow-up items at the time of the trial(s)? How does the legend get started? Of the many shootings across the country, why did this one fly?

In what version was the Stetson first mentioned? Probably an invention.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: MissouriMud
Date: 28 Aug 09 - 04:40 PM

I agree that there are other possibilities - it just seemed to be an odd juxtaposition of the Lomaxes saying they thought it was a Memphis event when the only locale in the song they were given appeared to be a Missouri reference.

    I have seen the Globe Democrat article quoted and I thought I had seen a web site that had an actual picture of it - but I can't find it now. Some of the quoted versions vary slightly, some appearing to have been "cleaned up" by deleting some of the racial designations in the original. However absent that they are fairly uniform in their content - which was itself fairly modest.

The article according to one source that I trust stated:

Saint Louis Globe Democrat
December 28, 1895
SHOT IN CURTIS' PLACE
"William Lyons, 25, colored, a levee hand, living at 1410 Morgan Street, was shot in the abdomen yesterday evening at 10 o'clock in the saloon of Bill Curtis, at Eleventh and Morgan Streets, by Lee Sheldon, also colored. Both parties, it seems, had been drinking and were feeling in exuberant spirits. Lyons and Sheldon were friends and were talking together. The discussion drifted to politics and an argument was started, the conclusion of which was that Lyons snatched Sheldon's hat from his head. The latter indignantly demanded its return. Lyons refused, and Sheldon withdrew his revolver and shot Lyons in the abdomen. Lyons was taken to the Dispensary, where his wounds were pronounced serious. He was removed to the City Hospital. At the time of the shooting the saloon was crowded with negroes. Sheldon is a carriage driver and lives at 911 North Twelfth Street. When his victim fell to the floor Sheldon took his hat from the hand of the wounded man and coolly walked away. He was subsequently arrested and locked up at the Chestnut Street Station. Sheldon is also known as 'Stag' Lee."

However, like you I would feel better seeing it in print myself and seeing the context. I suppose I could mosey up to the City Library about 10 blocks away (4 blocks from the scene of the crime) and see what their microfilm records for the Globe Democrat paper look like - Not that it makes a lot of difference given the "folk process".

The St Louis City coroner's records for 1850-1900 have been computer indexed by the Missouri secretary of state's office so I was able to look up the computer entry for Lyons, William, 12/26/1895 black, male, cause of death: Homicide - gunshot wound to abdomen.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/coroners
-search for Lyons in 1895.
One can request the records by citing the id and record storage info in the computer entry. It might be interesting, but probably wouldn't add anything to the discussion, unless the index is wrong.

I have no doubt that there was an incident in St Louis in 1895. However, it is quite likely that there were other crimes in other locations involving someone with a nickname like "Stag" or "Stack" Lee - possibly a common nickname - and a person with a name like Billy Lyons - another not uncommon sounding name, and they may have all gotten jumbled together in the course of the song's evolution. By the time songs of that vintage had solidified they rarely are 100% fact based - particularly a single set of facts.

I was intrigued to see that the first apparent reference to the song - although not a written version of the song itself- was by a blck newspaper in Leavenworth Kansas in late 1897.
"It is understood that Prof. Charlie Lee, the piano thumper, will play 'Stack-a-Lee' in variations at the K. C. Negro Press association. Scarcely any convention held in K. C. is complete unless Prof. Lee is down on the program. The professor is an idol on such a high pedestal in Kansas City that men, women and children fall on their knees in worship of him."
Leavenworth Herald, August 21, 1897, [p. 2].

It would have been interesting to hear what the words of the song were at that time. Obviously Stack had not "died in the 'lectric chair" by then.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Aug 09 - 01:18 PM

MissouriMud, the MO pen in Jefferson City is the only one I can find; the song, like many that are widespread in tradition, departs from factual content.

It is difficult to trace the growth of the song and its variants; more information is needed on its beginnings and spread. Other crimes in other localities than the Shelton-Lyons shooting in St. Louis may contribute to some versions.

The development of an event into legend is always interesting.

I also would like to see original news reports; were they detailed and abundant or was it a back-page event?

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: MissouriMud
Date: 28 Aug 09 - 12:45 PM

Q - Fascinating - I am curious about the reference to the "Jefferson pen" in the first verse of the "Fisher" version, if the Lomaxes and Mrs Fisher thought the song was Memphis based.   Lee Shelton of the 1895 St Louis incident was housed in the Missouri State pen in Jefferson City MO, which would at least potentially permit a reference to it as the "Jefferson Pen", although I'm not sure I have ever seen that precise reference.   Is there is a "Jefferson Pen" that would come into play for a Memphis TN crime? As best I can tell the Tennessee State Pen has been in Nashville since prior to the 1890's and I don't think it is referred to as the Jefferson Pen. The County and City of Jefferson TN are no where near Memphis or the state capitol, so if there is a County Pen in TN referred to as the Jefferson Pen, why would someone involved in a Memphis crime end up there? Is there some other jail associated with a Memphis crime that may have been called the "Jefferson Pen"?

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 04:07 PM

Lomax and Lomax, 1934, "American Ballads and Folk Songs," printed a version from a Miss Ella Scott Fisher, Texas, "sent, February 9, 1910," which gives Billy Lyons as the victim.

In the introductory discussion, it is evident that they (and Miss Lee) were attributing the event to Memphis, and searched for a tune there. The date seems questionable. The different voices give a vaudeville aspect to the version.

Lyr. Add: Stagolee
Version A

'Twas a Christmas morning,
The hour was about ten,
When Stagalee shot Billy Lyons
And landed in the Jefferson pen.
O Lordy, po' Stagalee!
2
Billy Lyons old woman,
She was a terrible sinner,
She was home that Christmas mornin'
A-preparin' Billy's dinner.
O Lordy, po' Stagalee!
3
Messenger boy came to the winder,
Then he knocked on the door,
An' he said, "Yer old man's lyin' there
Dead on the barroom floor."
O Lordy, po' Stagalee!
4
[Billy's old woman]
"Stagalee, O Stagalee,
What have you gone and done?
You've gone and shot my husband
With a forty-four gatlin' gun."
O Lordy, po' Stagalee!
5
[Stagalee's Friend]
Stagalee, O Stagalee,
Why don't you cut and run?
For here comes the policeman,
And I think he's got a gun."
O Lordy, po' Stagalee!
6
[Policeman, a little scared of Stagaleee]
"Stagalee, O Stagalee
I'm 'restin' you just for fun,
The officer jest wants you
To identify your gun."
O Lordy, po' Stagalee!
7
[Stagalee in jail]
"Jailer, O jailer.
I jest can't sleep;
For the ghost of Billy Lyons
Round my bed does mourn and weep."
O Lordy, po' Stagalee!
8
[Counsel for the Defense]
"Gentlemen of this jury,
You must let poor Stagalee go;
His poor and aged mammy
Is lyin' very low."
O Lordy, po' Stagalee!
9
[Counsel for the Prosecution]
"Gentlemen of the jury,
Wipe away your tears,
For Stagalee's aged mammy
Has been dead these 'leven years."
O Lordy, po' Stagalee!
10
Stagalee's old woman,
She hung around the jail,
And in three days she had him out
On a ten-thousand-dollar bail.
O Lordy, po' Stagalee!

(Three days to raise $10,000 bail? A busy lady!)

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 02:57 PM

"Early folklorists took an interest in the ballad as early as 1911, when Guy B. Johnson published the first version in the prestigious 'Journal of American Folklore'."
This quotation is attributed to Cecil Brown in the Guardian article linked above. The 1911 article in JAFL is by Howard W. Odum, not Johnson, although the versions were repeated in the jointly authored Odum and Johnson, 1925, "The Negro and His Songs."

Neither of the two versions is bawdy; they are "sung to different music," but the music is not given. No bawdy version is mentioned.

No sources, beyond a listing of the the southern states where the song was collected; the Missouri area is not included.

The song and its versions seems peculiarly disconnected from the actual event and its locale. The supposed central character, Lee Shelton, was a St. Louis pimp, but one with political connections. He was tried for the murder of Billy Lyons, posted $2000 bail, and the trial ended with a hung jury. He received 26 years in the second trial but was released after a short time. He pistol-whipped a man, was sentenced to prison, where he died in 1912. (from the Guardian article, quoting from Cecil Brown).

His victim, Billy Lyons, does not appear in the early versions printed by Odum and Odum and Johnson.
The song may have developed independently of the Shelton- Lyons event.

The song was first recorded by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, 1923. Ma Rainey and her Georgia Band, 1925, was the first Black musician to use the title in "Stack O'Lee Blues," but this song is more related to "He was my man but he done me wrong" (Can be heard on redhotjazz.com/georgiajazzband.com). Evelyn Thompson recorded "Stagger Lee" in 1927 (not heard).

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 01:08 PM

What was the source of the 1903 version? Was it a fragment or the complete lyrics?
It is mentioned in Trad. Ballad Index, but I couldn't fill out the reference.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Richie
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 05:36 PM

Thanks Q,

Another gr8 article can be found here:

http://www.planetslade.com/stagger-lee1.html

Cave's lyrics are based on a version from 1956 referenced in the above article.

There are other pieces of the 1903 lyrics in Brown's book. I don't have it tho.

Richie

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 02:06 PM

Sorry-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2003/may/09/artsfeatures

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 02:04 PM

Lee Shelton (Stagger Lee) was born March 16, 1865, in Texas. It seems that he was a 'mack' (maquereau), or pimp. He killed Billy Lyons in St. Louis in 1895.
"Godfather of Gangsta," Cecil Brown.
Godfather

The first record of the song is 1903 (not seen) according to the Traditional Ballad Index.

Also see Cecil Brown, 2003, "Stagolee Shot Billy," Harvard University Press.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 01:43 PM

Lyr. Add: Stackolee
Coll. John Hibbert

Stackolee was a bad man;
Everybody knows
Spent one hundred dollars
On them high-tone fancy whores.
They all loved Stackolee.
2
Billy Lyons said, "Stackolee,
Please don't take my life.
You make an orphan of my son,
And a widow of my wife."
Mean old bad man, Stackolee.
3
"I don't give a damn for your son.
I don't give a damn for your wife.
You done stole my Statson hat.
I'm going to take your life."
Mean old bad man, Stackolee.
4
What do you know about this?
What the hell you know about that?
Stackolee killed Billy Lyons
Over a damned old Stetson hat.
Poor old Stackolee.
5
They took him to the jailhouse
And they threw his ass in a cell.
All the pimps and whores went on down
To bid poor Stack farewell.
Poor old Stackolee.
6
Policeman said to Stackolee-
His eyes all filled with tears-
"The judge sure won't be hard on you;
He'll just give you ninety-nine years."
Poor old Stackolee.
7
Stack's girl was a good girl,
None of that low-down trash.
I'll make the bail for Stackolee,
Give that sheriff a piece of ass."
Poor old Stackolee.
8
She hustled in the morning.
She hustled in the night.
She got so thin from hustling
She was an awful sight.
She'd get the dough for Stackolee.
9
One night it rained like hell
And she had an awful time.
She said, "I won't break Stackolee's luck."
She shook her fanny for a dime,
Making bail for Stackolee.
10
Then she got a dirty old crib
Right behind the jail.
She hung a sign on the front door:
"Fresh fish here for sale."
She'd get the bail for Stackolee.
11
One night she had more bad luck.
An old nigger gave her a buck.
She said, "You know I got no change,
So give yourself another fuck.
For poor old Stackolee."
12
One night there came a telephone call
And everybody cried.
It said that at nine o'clock
Poor old Stack had fried.
Means a funeral for Stackolee.
13
When Stackolee's girl friend
Heard this awful news,
She was lyin' on the torn bedspread
Havin' the electric chair blues,
Havin' the blues for Stackolee.
14
When they got to the graveyard
And saw that awful hole,
Those pimps and whores fell on their knees
And asked the Lord to save their souls.
Poor old Stackolee.
15
A high yeller pimp stepped out,
Said, "I ain't got much to say,"
Pulled a bindle and took a shot,
Said, "Like Stack, I'm on my way."
Poor old Stackolee.
16
They laid out poor old Stackolee
And laid him in his last hole.
All the whores and pimps gathered 'round and said
"Lord have mercy on his soul.
Poor old Stackolee."

Ed Cray, 1992, The Erotic Muse," Univ. Illinois Press (2nd Ed.).
pp. 149-152 with brief musical score.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Richie
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 12:53 PM

Apparently Nick Cave's version is similar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYyl78qQPVI

Anyone know if this is based on the 1903 version?

Richie

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Richie
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 12:42 PM

Cecil Brown calls it his favorite version, this is all I have;

The first documented lyrics collected in Memphis, date 1903 are bawdy:

Poor old Nellie Sheldon, when she heard the news,
She's sittin' on the bedside, lacin' up her high-heeled shoes,
Bulls got my sweet-f...in' Papa Stackerlee.

If anyone has the complete lyrics or any versions from 1800s. Apparently Lomax found one, or at least someone claiming they learned it in the 1800s.

Richie

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 01:25 AM

and here.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 01:22 AM

The section of St Louis where Stagger Lee shot Billy, around 11th and Morgan, was a popular area for black Mississippi dockworkers in the late 1800s and up til the Second World War, and it was known as "Deep Morgan". It was an area of taverns and whorehouses (barrelhouses), and gave its name to Henry Brown's Deep Morgan Blues. St Louis in the early years of the twentieth century, and Deep Morgan in particular, became a hot bed for piano blues, and the birthplace of barrelhouse style. The style was inherited by latter day players in the area, and can be heard in the the rock 'n roll records of Chuck Berry and his piano player, Johnny Johnson, both Mound City natives. In fact, Berry's unique guitar phrasings had their origin in his attempts to mimic Johnny's barrelhouse piano style on songs like Johnnie B. Good.
For more info on the blues greats of Deep Morgan, click here.

Subject: RE: Origins: Stagger Lee
From: Richie
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 12:40 AM

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has the lyrics to the bawdy 1903 version? I think I have the first verse.

Richie