Here i go again. This is from 1959. An update. Even though I found a version dated 1923, this was mostly a folk song until Archibald added the music that made this into a bluesy rock number. When Price recorded it in 1959, Archibald sued Price. (OK, so we ain't one happy family down here all the time). The suit was settled and now the song. Also, Hogman Maxey recorded this as a prisoner in Angola State Penitentiary and no, I don't know why he was there but if I had to guess, it was armed robbery or murder due to the nature of Angola. Also, I could be guessing wrong. Uh.....; It may have just been for littering. (I said that last thing in case somebody by the name of Hogman breaks into my house).
@haydonbcamp Part of this was taken by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds on their live version of Stagger Lee (Brixton 2004). Actually, this x rated version by Cave includes the influence of Archibald's early 50s version (Part 2) where the Devil and Stag (Stack) meet up and take each other on. Cave's Brixton 2004 version is up on YT but some may find it offensive.
9thWardJukebox 3 months ago
Love the line .."some folks don't belive than Billy is dead, you don't believe he gone, just look what a hole in his head."
haydonbcamp 3 months ago
@ex1le444 You're welcome!
9thWardJukebox 1 year ago
thanks for putting this up.
ex1le444 1 year ago
@jawsquid You're welcome! Lot's of imagination has gone into this story, all the way from Mississippi John Hurt's version from the 1920s all the way to Nick Cave's 1996 version.
9thWardJukebox 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this one. I read the story about Hogman's version in Cecil Brown's fantastic book on Stagger. Hell, due to the nature of the American justice system, Hogman mighta been a good Christian. (Probably not, though.)
jawsquid 1 year ago