Stagger Lee

Um, one of the things we've mentioned previously was my love for Nick cave.

Um, When I was listening to this album, I was really surprised to hear reference to Stagger Lee on Wrong Man Boyle.

And I was like, I wonder if that's the same Stagger Lee that Nick Cave sings around in the 90s on the Murder Ballads album.

Yes, I think it is.

Yeah, but it's coming at it from...

We'll hear three of those tellings in this set from Furry Lewis, Mississippi John Hurt, and eventually Lloyd Price.

First up, Fergie Lewis, and Billy Lyons and Stack-A-Lee.

I

remember one September on one Friday night Stack-A-Lee and Billy Lyons had a great fight Crying when you lose your money, learning to lose Billet line shot six bit, Staggley bet he passed Staggley out with his 45, said you done shot your last When you lose your money, learn to lose A lot of woman come a runnin', fell down on her knees Cryin' oh Mr. Staggley don't shoot my brother please When you lose your money Now you're talking about some gambler, ought to see Richard Lee, shot $1,000 and come out on a three, crying when you lose your money, learning to lose.

Lord, the judge told the sheriff, we want him dead or alive.

And what can we bring when it totals to 45? When you lose your money, learn to lose.

Three, let's see, three takes on the similar story and another murder, this time made familiar by a rock and roll hit from 1959 by New Orleans' own Lloyd Price.

A big hit for him, and one that has lived on staggeringly.