Stagger Lee met Billy And they got 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 a trying man? 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 to cheat a trying man? Don't you know it is wrong to cheat a trying man? You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo 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 better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo So you must start all over again, all over again Don't you know it is wrong, play it Billy, play Don't you know it is wrong, 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 to cheat a trying man? Don't you know it is wrong to cheat a trying man? You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo It is the wrong 'em boyo