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.