The Gambler

On a warm summer's evenin'

On a train bound for nowhere

I met up with the gambler

We were both too tired to sleep

So we took turns a starin'

Out the window at the darkness

Till boredom overtook us

And he began to speak

He said Son I've made a life

Out of readin' people's faces

And knowin' what their cards were

By the way they held their eyes

So if you don't mind my sayin'

I can see you're out of aces

For a taste of your whiskey

I'll give you some advice

So I handed him my bottle

And he drank down my last swallow

Then he bummed a cigarette

And asked me for a light

And the night got deathly quiet

And his face lost all expression

Said If you're gonna play the game

Boy you better learn to play it right

You got to know when to hold them

Know when to fold them

Know when to walk away

And know when to run

You never count your money

When you're sittin' at the table

There'll be time enough for countin'

When the dealing's done

Every gambler knows

That the secret to survivin'

Is knowin' what to throw away

And knowing what to keep

'Cause every hand's a winner

And every hand's a loser

And the best that you can hope for

Is to die in your sleep

And when he finished speakin'

He turned back towards the window

Crushed out his cigarette

And faded off to sleep

And somewhere in the darkness the gambler

He broke even

But in his final words

I found an ace that I could keep

You got to know when to hold them

Know when to fold them

Know when to walk away

Know when to run

You never count your money

When you're sittin' at the table

There'll be time enough for countin'

When the dealing's done

You got to know when to hold them

When to hold them

Know when to fold them

When to fold them

Know when to walk away

Know when to run

You never count your money

When you're sittin' at the table

There'll be time enough for countin'

When the dealing's done

You got to know when to hold them

Know when to fold them

Know when to walk away

Know when to run

You never count your money

When you're sittin' at the table

There'll be time enough for countin'

When the dealing's done