Stagger Lee met Billy and they go down to gambling Stagger Lee throwed seven Billy said that he throwed eight So Billy said, hey Stagger! I'm gonna make my big attack I'm gonna have to leave my knife in your back Why do you try to cheat? And trample people under your feet Don't you know it is wrong? To cheat the trying man So you better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo You lie, steal, cheat and deceit In such a small, small game Don't you know it is wrong Billy Boy has been shot And Stagger Lee's come out on top Don't you know it is wrong To cheat the trying man To cheat Stagger man You'd better stop 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 But if you must lie and deceit And trample people under your feet Don't you know it is wrong It is the wrong 'em boyo