The Gambler
On a warm summer's evenin'On a train bound for nowhereI met up with the gamblerWe were both too tired to sleepSo we took turns a-starin'Out the window at the darknessWhen boredom overtook usHe began to speak
He said, "Son, I've made my lifeOut of readin' people's facesKnowin' what the cards wereBy the way they held their eyesSo if you don't mind my sayin'I can see you're out of acesFor a taste of your whiskeyI'll give you some advice"
So I handed him my bottleAnd he drank down my last swallowThen he bummed a cigaretteAnd asked me for a lightAnd the night got deathly quietAnd his face lost all expressionHe said, "IfYou're gonna play the game, boyYou gotta learn to play it right"
You've got to knowWhen to hold 'emKnow when to fold 'emKnow when to walk awayKnow when to runYou never count your moneyWhen you're sittin' at the tableThere'll be time enough for countin'When the dealin's done
Now every gambler knowsThe secret to survivin'Is knowin' what to throw awayAnd knowin' what to keep'Cause every hand's a winnerAnd every hand's a loserAnd the best you can hope forIs to die in your sleep"
And when he finished speakin'He turned back toward the windowCrushed out his cigaretteAnd faded off to sleepAnd somewhere in the darknessThe gambler - he broke evenAnd in his final words I foundAn ace that I could keep
You've got to knowWhen to hold 'emKnow when to fold 'emKnow when to walk awayKnow when to runYou never count your moneyWhen you're sittin' at the tableThere'll be time enough for countin'When the dealin's done
You've got to knowWhen to hold 'emKnow when to fold 'emKnow when to walk awayKnow when to runYou never count your moneyWhen you're sittin' at the tableThere'll be time enough for countin'When the dealin's done