Tom: E

E               D 
Stagger Lee met Billy and 
      C             D 
they got down to gambling 
E                   
Stagger Lee throwed seven 
D                         C 
Billy said that he throwed eight 
 

    E                D                    C            D 
So  Billy said, "hey stagger! I'm gonna make my big attack 
E                           D             C                       
I'm gonna have to leave my knife in your back 
 
Start all over again! 
 
Chord Progression for rest of Song 
G 6x 

C 2x 

G 2x 

D 2x 
 

First Verse 
G 
Why do you try to cheat 
 
and trample people under your feet 
                       C 
Don't you know it is wrong  

To cheat a trying man 
                       G     
Don't you know it is wrong 

To cheat a trying man 
                D  
So you better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo 
 
 Second Verse 
You lie steal and deciet 
In such a small, small game 
Don't you know it is wrong 
To cheat a trying man 
Don't you know it is wrong 
To Cheat a trying man 
You'd better stop, It is the wrong em boyo 
 
Third verse (Instrumental) 
 
Fourth Verse 
 
Billy Boy has been shot 
and Stagger Lee's come out on top 
Don't you know it is wrong 
To cheat a trying man 
Don't you know it is wrong 
To Cheat Stagger man 
You'd better stop 
It is the wrong em boyo 
 
Fifth Verse 
 
So you must start all over again, 
all over again 
You got to play it Billy play, you got to  
play it, billy play 
and you will find it is the right 'em boyo 
 
Sixth Verse 
But if you must lie and deceit 
and trample people under your feet 
Don't you know it's wrong 
To cheat a trying man 
You'd better stop 
It is the wrong 'em boyo