Stack O' Lee

Stack O' Lee-Mississippi John Hurt
D position, standard tuning
NOTE: John Hurt pronounced the title character's name "Stagolee".

Police officer, how can it be,
You can arrest everybody but cruel Stagolee?
REFRAIN: That bad man, old cruel Stagolee

Billy DeLyons told Stagolee, “Please don’t take my life.
I got two little babes and a darlin’ loving wife.”
REFRAIN: That bad man, old cruel Stagolee

“What I care about your two little babes, your darlin’ loving wife?
You done stole my Stetson hat, I’m bound to take your life.”
REFRAIN: That bad man, old cruel Stagolee

(Two verses and refrains hummed)

Boom-boom, boom-boom, went a .44
Well, when I spied Billy DeLyon he was lyin’ down on the floor
REFRAIN: That bad man, old cruel Stagolee

Gentlemens of the jury, what you think of that?
Stagolee killed Billy DeLyon ‘bout a five dollar Stetson hat
REFRAIN: That bad man, old cruel Stagolee

Standin’ on the gallows, his head way up high
At twelve o’clock they killed him, they’s all glad to see him die
REFRAIN: That bad man, old cruel Stagolee

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