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