#--------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------# #This file is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of the # #song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship or research.# #----------------------------------------------------------------------------# Song title: Stagger Lee Original Album: Murder Ballads (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) Words and Music by Nick Cave based on a traditional American folk song. Copyright © 1996 Mute Records Published by Universal Music Group Transcribed by Gavin Chart (contactus@gartfrets.net) INTRO: NOTES: Palm mute the chords. The bass line continues throughout for the Dm - Am figure with tiny variations. Electric guitar: Dm |-5-------x-----x-x---------------|-5-------x-----x-x---------------| |-6-------x-----x-x---------------|-6-------x-----x-x---------------| |-7-------x-----x-x---------------|-7-------x-----x-x---------------| |-7-------x-----x-x---------------|-7-------x-----x-x---------------| |-5-------x-----x-x---------------|-5-------x-----x-x---------------| |---------------------------------|---------------------------------| | | |---------------------------------|---------------------------------| |-2-/-7---5-----------------------|-2-/-7---5-----------------------| |-------------7---5---------------|-------------7---5---------------| |---------------------------------|---------------------------------| | 1 - & - 2 - & - 3 - & - 4 - & - | 1 - & - 2 - & - 3 - & - 4 - & - | Electric guitar: Am |-5-------x-----x-x---------------|-5-------x-----x-x---------------| |-5-------x-----x-x---------------|-5-------x-----x-x---------------| |-5-------x-----x-x---------------|-5-------x-----x-x---------------| |-7-------x-----x-x---------------|-7-------x-----x-x---------------| |-7-------x-----x-x---------------|-7-------x-----x-x---------------| |-5-------x-----x-x---------------|-5-------x-----x-x---------------| | | |---------------------------------|---------------------------------| |-2-/-7---5-----------------------|-2-/-7---5-----------------------| |-------------7---3---------------|-------------7---3---------------| |-------------------------5-------|-------------------------5-------| | 1 - & - 2 - & - 3 - & - 4 - & - | 1 - & - 2 - & - 3 - & - 4 - & - | VERSE1: Notes: Palm mute the chords. Chords: Dm xx0231 or x57765 Am x02210 or 577555 Dm It was back in '32 when times were hard, Am He had a Colt .45 and a deck of cards, Stagger Lee Dm He wore ratdrawn shoes & an old Stetson hat, Am Had a '28 Ford, he had payments on that, Stagger Lee Dm Well, his woman threw him out in the ice & the snow, Am And told him, "Never ever come back no more, Stagger Lee." Dm So he walked through the rain and he walked through the mud, Am 'til he came to a place called the Bucket of Blood, Stagger Lee Dm He said, "Mister Motherfucker, you know who I am?" Am And the barkeeper said, "No, and I don't give a good goddamn." To Stagger Lee. Dm He said, "Well, barkeeper, it's plain to see Am I'm that bad motherfucker called Stagger Lee, Mister Stagger Lee." Dm Well, the Barkeep said, "Yeah, I've heard your name down the way Am And I kick motherfucking asses like you every day, Mr Stagger Lee." Dm Well, those were the last words that the barkeep said Am 'Cause Stag put four holes in his motherfucking head Dm Just then in came a broad called Nellie Brown Am Was known to make more money than any bitch in town. Dm She struts across the bar, hitching up her skirt Am Over to Stagger Lee she starts to flirt. With Stagger Lee. Dm She saw the barkeep said, "O God, he can't be dead." Am Stag said, "Well, just count the holes in the motherfucker's head." Dm She said, "You ain't look like you scored in quite a time. Am Why not come to my pad? It won't cost you a dime, Mr Stagger Lee." Dm "But there's something I have to say before you begin Am You'll have to be gone before my man Billy Dilly comes in, Mr Stagger Lee." Dm "I'll stay here 'til Billy comes in, 'til time comes to pass Am And furthermore I'll fuck Billy in his motherfucking ass," said Stagger Lee. Dm "I'm a bad motherfucker, don't you know, Am And I'll crawl over fifty good pussies just to get one fat boy's asshole," said Stagger Lee. Dm Just then Billy Dilly rolls in and he says, Am "You must be that bad motherfucker called Stagger Lee." Stagger Lee. Dm "Yeah, I'm Stagger Lee and you'd better get down on your knees. Am And suck my dick, because if you don't, you're gonna be dead," said Stagger Lee. Dm Well, Billy Dilly dropped down and slobbered on his head Am And Stag filled him full of lead. Oh yeah. [Melt-down section over standard bass-line and chords (Dm and Am)] Notes: The next section, a continuation of the verse, was transcribed from the 2013 Glastonbury version and has extensions and improvisations. Dm Then in comes the Devil, got a pitch-fork in his hand [play:| Am | % | Dm Well, in comes the Devil, got a pitch-fork in his hand Am In comes the Devil, said I come to take you down, Mr Stagger Lee. Dm Am In comes the Devil, said I come to take you down, Mr Stagger Lee. Dm Well, those were the last words that the Devil said Am 'Cause Stag put four holes in his motherfucking head. [Melt-down section over standard bass-line and chords (Dm and Am)] [end on Am]