About the work
A modern reinterpretation inspired by the traditional folk song “Stagger Lee”, a public domain work.
This version presents an original narrative, arrangement and contemporary production, reimagining the legendary story through a dark hip hop lens.
Lyrics (original):
[Verse 1] Candle wax drips on oak grain / Dice click like ticking clocks …
[Hook] Stagger Lee don’t ask twice / One shot cuts through paradise …
[Verse 2] Bar mirror holds its breath …
[Verse 3] Rain taps roof like guilty feet …
[Hook] STAGGER LEE DON’T ASK TWICE! …
[Outro] mm… Yeah… Dice still rollin’… Uh…
[Verse 1]
Candle wax drips on oak grain / Dice click like ticking clocks
Billy grins through cigarette haze / Doesn’t see the storm he mocks
Lee leans back, boots on rail / Fingertips brush cold steel
Says, “That coat you stole won’t save you—
Tonight the ledger’s real.”
[Hook]
Stagger Lee don’t ask twice
One shot cuts through paradise
Blood writes truth in crimson lines
You roll the dice—you lose your life
[Verse 2]
Bar mirror holds its breath / Glass reflects a frozen scene
Billy’s hand shakes reaching west / But his luck ran out unseen
Lee stands slow, shadow grows / Floorboards creak like dying moans
Whispers, “Tell your kin I came—
And dead men walk alone.”
[Hook]
Stagger Lee don’t ask twice
One shot cuts through paradise
Blood writes truth in crimson lines
You roll the dice—you lose your life
[Inst]
[Verse 3]
Rain taps roof like guilty feet / Washes gutters clean by dawn
Cops find hat, one shell, no heat
Just the echo of what’s gone
Lee walks east past shuttered doors / Wind carries no remorse
He don’t hide—he owns the war
And every soul it took by force
[Hook]
STAGGER LEE DON’T ASK TWICE!
ONE SHOT CUTS THROUGH PARADISE!
BLOOD WRITES TRUTH IN CRIMSON LINES!
YOU ROLL THE DICE—YOU LOSE YOUR LIFE!
[Outro]
mm...
Yeah...
Dice still rollin’...
Uh...
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Author - Song producer - 70%
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Work information
Title Stagger Lee (Dark Hip Hop Story - Rework)
A modern reinterpretation inspired by the traditional folk song “Stagger Lee”, a public domain work.
This version presents an original narrative, arrangement and contemporary production, reimagining the legendary story through a dark hip hop lens.
Lyrics (original):
[Verse 1] Candle wax drips on oak grain / Dice click like ticking clocks …
[Hook] Stagger Lee don’t ask twice / One shot cuts through paradise …
[Verse 2] Bar mirror holds its breath …
[Verse 3] Rain taps roof like guilty feet …
[Hook] STAGGER LEE DON’T ASK TWICE! …
[Outro] mm… Yeah… Dice still rollin’… Uh…
[Verse 1]
Candle wax drips on oak grain / Dice click like ticking clocks
Billy grins through cigarette haze / Doesn’t see the storm he mocks
Lee leans back, boots on rail / Fingertips brush cold steel
Says, “That coat you stole won’t save you—
Tonight the ledger’s real.”
[Hook]
Stagger Lee don’t ask twice
One shot cuts through paradise
Blood writes truth in crimson lines
You roll the dice—you lose your life
[Verse 2]
Bar mirror holds its breath / Glass reflects a frozen scene
Billy’s hand shakes reaching west / But his luck ran out unseen
Lee stands slow, shadow grows / Floorboards creak like dying moans
Whispers, “Tell your kin I came—
And dead men walk alone.”
[Hook]
Stagger Lee don’t ask twice
One shot cuts through paradise
Blood writes truth in crimson lines
You roll the dice—you lose your life
[Inst]
[Verse 3]
Rain taps roof like guilty feet / Washes gutters clean by dawn
Cops find hat, one shell, no heat
Just the echo of what’s gone
Lee walks east past shuttered doors / Wind carries no remorse
He don’t hide—he owns the war
And every soul it took by force
[Hook]
STAGGER LEE DON’T ASK TWICE!
ONE SHOT CUTS THROUGH PARADISE!
BLOOD WRITES TRUTH IN CRIMSON LINES!
YOU ROLL THE DICE—YOU LOSE YOUR LIFE!
[Outro]
mm...
Yeah...
Dice still rollin’...
Uh...
Work type Music
Tags dark hip hop story -rework
-------------------------
Registry info in Safe Creative
Identifier 2512304148480
Entry date Dec 30, 2025, 2:32 PM UTC
License European Union Public Licence v1.2
-------------------------
Copyright registered declarations
Author - Composer 90.00 %. Holder CELSO. Date Dec 30, 2025.
Author - Lyricist 100.00 %. Holder CELSO. Date Dec 30, 2025.
Author - Song producer 70.00 %. Holder CELSO. Date Dec 30, 2025.
Information available at https://www.safecreative.org/work/2512304148480-stagger-lee-dark-hip-hop-story-rework-
/
Registration: 2512304148480
