Unknown
Stagolee
The Journal of American Folk Lore — 1911
From the article “Folk-Song and Folk-Poetry as Found in the Secular Songs of the Southern Negroes,” on page 288.
Stagolee
Stagolee, Stagolee, what's dat in yo' grip? Nothin' but my Sunday clothes, I'm goin' to take a trip, O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come. Stagolee, Stagolee, where you been so long? I been out on de battle fiel' shootin' an' havin' fun, O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come. Stagolee was a bully man, an' ev'y body knowed, When dey seed Stagolee comin', to give Stagolee de road, O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come. Stagolee started out, he give his wife his han', "Good-by, darlin', I'm goin' to kill a man." O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come. Stagolee killed a man an' laid him on de flo', What's dat he kill him wid? Dat same ole fohty-fo'. O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come. Stagolee killed a man an' laid him on his side, What's dat he kill him wid? Dat same ole fohty-five. O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come. Out of house an' down de street Stagolee did run, In his hand he held a great big smokin' gun. O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come. Stagolee, Stagolee, I'll tell you what I'll do, If you'll git me out'n dis trouble I'll do as much for you. O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come. Ain't it a pity, ain't it a shame? Stagolee was shot, but he don't want no name. O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come. Stagolee, Stagolee, look what you done done, Killed de best ole citerzen; now you'll hav' to be hung. O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come. Stagolee cried to de jury an' to de judge: Please don't take my life, I have only three little children an' one little lovin' wife, O dat man, bad man, Stagolee done come.