Baby, if you want to wail Well, you can raise you whale boat and sail for free You can't go to jail for a fairytale So don't depend on bail from me I'm talking confidentially Just about as straight as I can be So listen to these words carefully I'm talkin' confidentially A-talkin’ 'bout your rock and roll Instead of existentially If that's the only thing you know Better pay some dues to Stagger Lee I'm talking confidentially Just about as straight as I can be So listen to these words carefully I'm talkin' confidentially A-talkin’ 'bout your rock and roll Instead of existentially If that's the only thing you know Better pay some dues to Stagger Lee Say it now we can split a brick Somehow we can do the trick Right now, if you come on down here quick You just might be a-wakin’ If that’s the road you’re takin’ Now what’s this song supposed to say As we all run and jump and slide Livin’ in this world from day to day All respect the man who must provide I'm talking confidentially Just about as straight as I can be So listen to these words carefully I'm talkin' confidentially A-talkin’ 'bout your rock and roll Instead of existentially If that's the only thing you know Better pay some dues to Stagger Lee