Stagger Lee version?

[Dean M]

Hi, I don't know where else to look.

I remember a version of the song "Stagger Lee" which is different from
any of the ones I'm able to find.

The lyrics in a couple of places were different, and IIRC, it was more
of a rock version than blues. It may have even been an "add-on" to the
end of another tune.

If I saw a list of the names of performers who had done versions of the
song, I would probably remember who it was.

Thanks, Dean

[The Wizard of Odd]

I have a recording of Woody Guthrie singing Stagger Lee, i think in the
1940's. I also have a version of the song sung by Rob Hunter (wrote many
songs with the Grateful Dead).

The Wizard of Odd
"University politics are vicious precisely because the stakes are so
small." -- Henry Kissinger

Post by Dean M
Hi, I don't know where else to look.
I remember a version of the song "Stagger Lee" which is different from
any of the ones I'm able to find.
The lyrics in a couple of places were different, and IIRC, it was more
of a rock version than blues. It may have even been an "add-on" to the
end of another tune.
If I saw a list of the names of performers who had done versions of the
song, I would probably remember who it was.
Thanks, Dean

[Chance]

Post by Dean M
Hi, I don't know where else to look.
I remember a version of the song "Stagger Lee" which is different from
any of the ones I'm able to find.
The lyrics in a couple of places were different, and IIRC, it was more
of a rock version than blues. It may have even been an "add-on" to the
end of another tune.
If I saw a list of the names of performers who had done versions of the
song, I would probably remember who it was.
Thanks, Dean

Maybe Lloyd Price?


Stagger Lee
The night was clear, and the moon was yellowAnd the leaves came tumblin'
down. . . I was standin' on the cornerWhen I heard my bull dog bark.He was
barkin' at the two menWho were gamblin' in the dark.It was Stagger Lee and
Billy,Two men who gambled late.Stagger lee threw a seven,Billy swore that he
threw eight."Stagger Lee, said Billy,"I can't let you go with that."You have
won all my money,"And my brand-new Stetson hat."Stagger Lee went homeAnd he
got his .44.He said, "I'm goin' to the ballroom"Just to pay that debt I
owe."(bridge)Go, Stagger LeeStagger Lee went to the ballroomAnd he strolled
across the ballroom floor.He said "You did me wrong, Billy."And he pulled
his .44."Stagger Lee, said Billy,"Oh, please don't take my life!"I've got
three hungry children,"And a very sickly wife."Stagger Lee shot BillyOh, he
shot that poor boy so hardThat a bullet went through BillyAnd broke the
bartender's bar.Go, Stagger Lee, go, Stagger Lee!Go, Stagger Lee, go,
Stagger Lee!(to fade)

[Dean M]

Thanks to both, but nope.

This one was from the 70's, I think, and one of the lines was:

"Stagger Lee, said to Mrs. Billy, you don't believe your man is dead---
Go on down to the barroom, see the hole I shot in his head".

----which wasn't in any other version I know of.

Also there was no "Go Stagger Lee" chorus.

I've tried bn.com also, and it isn't there. Oh well---just hoping to get
lucky.

Again, thanks.

___________________________________________

[sticky.vickie]

Stagger Lee by Lloyd Price in 1959 for ABC records.

Lyrics:
Lloyd Price
Stagger Lee
The night was clear, and the moon was yellowAnd the leaves came tumblin'
down. . . I was standin' on the cornerWhen I heard my bull dog bark.He was
barkin' at the two menWho were gamblin' in the dark.It was Stagger Lee and
Billy,Two men who gambled late.Stagger lee threw a seven,Billy swore that he
threw eight."Stagger Lee, said Billy,"I can't let you go with that."You have
won all my money,"And my brand-new Stetson hat."Stagger Lee went homeAnd he
got his .44.He said, "I'm goin' to the ballroom"Just to pay that debt I
owe."(bridge)Go, Stagger LeeStagger Lee went to the ballroomAnd he strolled
across the ballroom floor.He said "You did me wrong, Billy."And he pulled
his .44."Stagger Lee, said Billy,"Oh, please don't take my life!"I've got
three hungry children,"And a very sickly wife."Stagger Lee shot BillyOh, he
shot that poor boy so hardThat a bullet went through BillyAnd broke the
bartender's bar.Go, Stagger Lee, go, Stagger Lee!Go, Stagger Lee, go,
Stagger Lee!(to fade)

[ThePetPage]

Post by Dean M
I remember a version of the song "Stagger Lee" which is different from
any of the ones I'm able to find.

There were several versions of that song, Lloyd Price even had 2, but I don't
recall those lyrics. You might also try searching on STACK O' LEE or BILLY
LYONS

[t***@notrashmagix.com.sg]

Post by Dean M
Hi, I don't know where else to look.
I remember a version of the song "Stagger Lee" which is different from
any of the ones I'm able to find.
The lyrics in a couple of places were different, and IIRC, it was more
of a rock version than blues. It may have even been an "add-on" to the
end of another tune.
If I saw a list of the names of performers who had done versions of the
song, I would probably remember who it was.
Thanks, Dean

I prefer the one sang by Pat Boone


SIAOGU

Girls when they went out to swim
Once dressed like Mother Hubbard
Now they have a bolder whim
They dress more like her cupboard

[Carl Baron]

Post by Dean M
I remember a version of the song "Stagger Lee" which is different from
any of the ones I'm able to find.
If I saw a list of the names of performers who had done versions of the
song, I would probably remember who it was.

Here's a list. Carl

Stagolee [Laws I15]

Rt - Mrs. DeLion's Lament ; Billy Lyons and Stack O'Lee
American Ballads and Folk Songs, MacMillan, Bk (1934), p. 93
Native American Balladry, Amer. Folklore Society, Bk (1964/1950), p253
Anthology of American Folk Music, Oak, Sof (1973), p 54
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Songs for Pickin' and Singin', Gold Medal Books, sof (1962), p 36
Teach Yourself Guitar, Oak, Sof (1971), p135
Viking Book of Folk Ballads of the English-Speaking World, Viking, sof
(1956/1963), p381
Viking Book of Folk Ballads of the English-Speaking World, Viking, sof
(1956/1963), p382
Baker, Mickey. Blues and Jazz, Kicking Mule KM 142, LP (1976), cut# 8
(Stack O'Lee (Blues))
Bookbinder, Roy. Ragtime Millionaire, Blue Goose 2023, LP (1977), cut#B.04
(Stack-O-Lee)
Cephas, John; and Phil Wiggins. Dog Days of August, Flying Fish FF 394, LP
(1986), cut#A.04
Clayton, Paul. Bloody Ballads, Riverside RLP 12-615, LP (1956), cut#A.03
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Fruit Jar Guzzlers. Paramount Old Time Tunes, JEMF 103, LP (197?), cut#A.04
(Stack-O-Lee)
Haley, Ed. Parksburg Landing, Rounder 1010, LP (1976), cut# 3
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Hall, Vera Ward. Southern Folk Ballads, Vol. 1. American Originals: A
Heritage..., August House, Sof (1987), p. 66
Hoopii, Sol. Sol Hoopii, Vol. 1, Rounder 1024, LP (1977), cut# 9
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Hurt, Mississippi John. Mississippi John Hurt, Vol. 3. Sacred and Secular,
Heritage (England) HT320, LP (1988), cut# 2 (Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Hurt, Mississippi John. 1928 Sessions, Yazoo L-1065, LP (197?), cut# 10
Hurt, Mississippi John. Mississipi John Hurt, A Legacy, Piedmount
CLPS-1068, LP (1975), cut#B.03 (Stack-O-Lee)
Hurt, Mississippi John. Country Blues Guitar, Oak, Sof (1968), p 26 (Stack
O'Lee (Blues))
Hurt, Mississippi John. Masters of Instrumental Blues Guitar, Oak, Fol
(1967), p38 (Stack O'Lee (Blues))
Hutchison, Frank. Anthology of American Folk Music, Smithsonian/Folkways
SFW 40090, CD( (1997), cut# 19 (Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Kweskin, Jim. Fire at Club 47, Talkeetna 25001, CD (1999), cut#18
Mahal, Taj. Giant Step/De Old Folks at Home, Columbia CG 18, LP (197?),
cut# 19 (Stagger Lee)
McCurdy, Ed. Blood, Booze 'n Bones, Elektra EKL-108, LP (1956), cut#B.05
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Miller, Dale. Dale Miller Tab Book, Kicking Mule, Sof (1977), p20 (Stagger
Lee)
New Lost City Ramblers. New Lost City Ramblers, Vol. 4, Folkways FA 2399,
LP (1962), cut# 12 (Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Paley, Tom. Old Tom Moore and More, Global Village C 309, Cas (1991), cut#
18 (Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Paley, Tom. Finger-Picking Styles for Guitar, Oak, Sof (1966), p22
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Patterson, Uncle John. Folk Visions & Voices. Traditional Music & Song in
North Georgia, University of Georgia, Bk (1983), p104 (Stagolee Was a
Bully)
Pine Ridge Boys. New River Jam: One, Mountain 308, LP (197?), cut# 1
Rooftop Singers. Walk Right In, Vanguard VSD 2136, LP (196?), cut# 9
Round Peak Band. Round Peak Band, Marimac 9044, Cas (1992), cut#A.06
(Stagger Lee)
Rush, Tom. Tom Rush, Fantasy 24709, LP (1972), cut# 24
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Russo, Mike. Mike Russo, Arhoolie 4003, LP (197?), cut#B.05 (Stack O'Lee
(Blues))
Stanley, Peter. At the Sidekick, Talkeetna 25003, CD (1999), cut# 2
Stuart, Alice. All the Good Times, Arhoolie 4002, LP (1964), cut#B.02
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Taussig, Harry. Folk-Style Guitar, Oak, Sof (1973), p 71
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Taussig, Harry. Instrumental Techniques of American Folk Guitar, Trad.
String Instr., fol (1965), p72
Taussig, Harry. Advanced Guitar, Oak, Sof (1975), p107
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Travis, Merle. Rough, Rowdy and Blue, CMH 6262, LP (1986), cut# 7
(Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Van Ronk, Dave. Dave Van Ronk, Folksinger, Prestige Folklore 14012, LP
(196?), cut# 3 (Stackerlee/Stackolee)
Van Ronk, Dave. Dave Van Ronk, Fantasy 24710, LP (197?), cut#2.03
(Stagolee)
Watson, Doc and Merle. Ballads from Deep Gap, Vanguard VSD 6576, LP (1971),
cut# 6 (Stack O'Lee (Blues))