I remember one September on one Friday night
Stack O'Lee and Billy Lyons had a great fight
Cryin', when you lose your money, learn to lose

Billy Lyons shot six bits, Stack O'Lee bet he'd pass
Stack O'Lee out with his forty-five, said you done shot your last
When you lose your money, learn to lose

Lord, a woman come a-running, fell down on her knees
Cryin', Oh Mr. Stack O'Lee, don't shoot my brother please
When you lose your money...

I ain't talking ‘bout some gambler, ought to see Richard Lee
Shot one thousand dollars and come out on a three
Cryin', when you lose your money, learn to lose

Lord, the judge told the sheriff, we want him dead or ‘live
How in the world can we bring him in when he's totin' a forty-five
When you lose your money, learn to lose

Lord, the woman told the judge, my husband's name Jack Shep
Wanna arrest po' Stack O'Lee, better go somewhere else
When you lose your money, learn to lose