Stagger Lee shot Billy DeLyon over a Stetson hat. It's an old tale that's been told many times in many different forms. One telling of the tale that stands out is that of Robert Hunter, lyricist for The Grateful Dead. While Stagger Lee often comes out the hero of the tale, in Hunter's version it is not Lee but the widow of Billy DeLyon who comes out the hero. This paper looks at how Robert Hunter accomplished this and compares his song with Lloyd Price's popular version.
Many thanks to my dear friend Sarah J. Masek who helped to edit this paper.
All original content © Scott W. Vincent. Other content is property of its respective owners.
