Kenny Rogers
"The Gambler"


On a warm summer's evening
On a train bound to now
Where I met up a gambler
We were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns to staring
At the window at the darkness
Two board I took over us
And he began to speak
He said son I'd made a life
Out of written people's face
Knowing what the card was
By the way they held your eyes
So if you don't mind my saying
I could see you out of face
For a taste of your whisky
I'll give you some advice

So I handed him my bottle
And he drinks down my last swallow
Then he pumped up a cigarette
And ask me for a light
And the night gets deadly quiet
And his face last all its expressions and said
If you can't play the game boy
You got to learn to play it right
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 sitting at the table
There'll be time enough for counting
When the dealing's done

Every gambler knows
The secret to surviving
He's knowing what to throw away
Knowing what to keep
Because every hand's a loser
And the best that you hope for
Is to die in your sleep
And he finished speaking
He turned back forth the window
Crashed out the cigarettes
Faded off to sleep
And somewhere in the darkness
The gambler has broken ever
But in his final words