Stagger Lee

Gene, Wynne

Stackolee

Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me!

"Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me" is considered one of the great, classic collections of African-American literature and folklore. Originally published by in 1974, it quickly gained the reputation as a classic collection of black folk poetry. This book will delight students of African-American culture and folklore, and anyone who enjoys the double entendres and hidden meanings found in the oral tradition, from its African roots to contemporary rap.

Henry, Ramsey version
Joe, Ellis version
Frank, Ramsey version
Bobby, Jefferson City version
Chicago Informant's version
Bob, Connelly Migrant Camp version

Stackolee in Hell

"This version was contributed by a white informant. It is the weakest poetically.It exhibits several rough attempts to kep the rhyme scheme going by introducing inconsistencies in the names. Ben Lee becomes Ben Lion and Ben Lair." -- Bruce Jackson "Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me!"

Gene, Wynne, 19 March 1966

Stackolee

I staggered in a place called the Bucket a Blood.
I said, "Barkeep, barkeep, give me something to eat."
He give me a glass a blood and piece of fucked-up meat.
I said, "Barkeeper, don't you know who I am?"
he says, "Frankly, mister motherfucker, don't give a goddamn."
I reached in my pocket and pulled out my forty-four,
I shot him twice and he hit the floor.
A bitch jumped up and said, "Barkeep, barkeep, where's the barkeep?"
I said he's in the corner with a peace at mind.
Another bitch jumped up, said, "Stack, you better come with me,
but watch out for my boyfriend, Ben Lee."
I went with her and everything was fine.
We fucked on the chair, we fucked in the bed,
and up the stairs come Ben Lion.
A clatter of smoke and a roar of fire,
and there lay Ben Lair with his ass in the air.
The judge said, "Son," say, "I give you life."
A bitch jumped up and said, "Give him gas."
Another bitch jumped up and said, 
"Shoot 'lectricity through his motherfucken ass."
Judge said, "Son, I'm gonna change my mind,
I'm only gonna give you ten years hard time."
Said, "Ge, judge, that's no time,
I got a brother on Levenworth jackin' ninety-nine."