Stacker Lee, he went to town, with a .44 in his hand
Looked around for Billy Lyons, says "Better take your stand,
All about my John B. Stetson hat".
Now Stacker Lee in a bar room, he calls up a glass of beer
Looks around, sees Billy Lyons, says "What are you doing here?"
Mr Stacker Lee, that bad man Stacker Lee
Billy Lyons says "Stacker Lee, please don't take my life
I've got half a dozen little children, one sweet loving wife"
Looking for my money on the next train
"Well, God bless your children, I'll take care of your wife
You stole my John B. Stetson hat, and I'm gonna take your life,
All about that milk white Stetson hat"
Billy Lyons says "Brother, great God, don't weep and cry"
Billy Lyons says "Mother, I'm bound to die
All about that John B. Stetson hat"
Now Stacker Lee's Mom, well she says "What have you done,
Murdered a man in the first degree, with a revolver gun
All about some broken Stetson hat"
Stacker Lee says "Judge, would you have a little pity on me?
I've got one grey haired mother dear, left to weep for me,
All about that broken Stetson hat"
Now Stacker Lee says "Jailor, jailor, I can't sleep
For Billy Lyons' ghost around my bedside does creep,
Looking for his John B. Stetson hat".
When the Springtime comes o'er the mountains
And the wild flowers are scattered o'er the plain,
I will watch for the leaves to return to the trees
And I'll be waiting when the Springtime comes again
When the sun shines down on the mountains
And the wild sheep are wandering all alone
And the birds and the bees are singing,
Then it makes me think that Springtime won't be long
When the Springtime comes o'er the mountains
And the wild flowers are scattered o'er the plain,
I will watch for the leaves to return to the trees
And I'll be waiting when the Springtime comes again
Now the Springtime has come to the mountains
And I'm on my way back to the lane
For you promised me, Little Annie,
You'll be waiting when the Springtime comes again.
When the Springtime comes o'er the mountains
And the wild flowers are scattered o'er the plain,
I will watch for the leaves to return to the trees
And I'll be waiting when the Springtime comes again
(Repeat last two lines)
Who's gonna call you
Who's gonna feed you
Who's gonna love you
Better keep one foot in front of the other
Little boy, ain't got no home,
Got no place to call your own.
Aunts and uncles, they're too poor,
Leave you standing outside the door
Who's gonna call you
Who's gonna clothe you
Who's gonna hold you
Better keep one foot in front of the other
Little boy, you've gone so far,
Little feet are tired and sore.
Ate all your bread
And you ate all your honey
Little hands better make you some money
Who's gonna call you
Who's gonna take you
Who's gonna know you
Better keep one foot in front of the other
Go Gabriel, get the trumpet,
Move on down to the sea,
Don't you sound that trumpet,
Till you hear from me
I've got the keys to the kingdom,
The world can't do me no harm.
(repeat)
Take old John on the island,
Place him in a kettle of oil
Then the angels came from Heaven down,
Told them that the oil wouldn't boil
I've got the keys to the kingdom,
The world can't do me no harm.
(repeat)
Take old Paul and Silas,
Place them in the jail below.
Then the angels came from Heaven down,
And unlocked the prison house door.
I've got the keys to the kingdom,
The world can't do me no harm.
(repeat)
When I get in trouble,
I know I done no crime,
Wake up Central(?) in Glory,
Jesus come to the phone (?)
I've got the keys to the kingdom,
The world can't do me no harm.
(repeat)
I've got the keys in my bosom,
I carry it everywhere I go.
I've got the keys in my bosom,
The world can't do me no harm.
I've got the keys to the kingdom,
The world can't do me no harm.
(repeat)
Oh, come on children, come along,
While the moon is shining bright,
Get on the boat,
Down the river float,
Gonna raise a ruckus tonight
Well there ain't no use in me working so hard
Gonna raise a ruckus tonight,
When I've got a woman in the rich folks' yard
Gonna raise a ruckus tonight
Oh, come on children, come along,
While the moon is shining bright,
Get on the boat,
Down the river float,
Gonna raise a ruckus tonight
Well, every evening about half past eight
Gonna raise a ruckus tonight,
I'll hang my bucket on the rich folks' gate
Gonna raise a ruckus tonight
Oh, come on children, come along,
While the moon is shining bright,
Get on the boat,
Down the river float,
Gonna raise a ruckus tonight
Well she brings me chicken and she brings me pie
Gonna raise a ruckus tonight,
I eat some of everything the rich folks buy
Gonna raise a ruckus tonight
Oh, come on children, come along,
While the moon is shining bright,
Get on the boat,
Down the river float,
Gonna raise a ruckus tonight.
(Repeat)
"IZZE" is a trademark of the Izze Beverage Company of Boulder, Colorado. The words to this song were composed by members of "UNCLE EARL"
The group's CD may be bought at their concerts, or from Colorado by mail - for further information see their official website.