[Verse - No drums] G C G On a warm summer's evening on a train bound for nowhere G G D I met up with a gambler, we were both too tired to speak G C G So we took turns a-starin' out the window at the darkness C G D7 G 'Til boredom overtook us and he began to speak. G C G He said, "Son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces, G D Knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes, G C G And if you don't mind me sayin', I can see you're out of aces, C G D G And for a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice."
(bass drum on 2 and 4 to begin with - no snare) G C G So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow; G G D Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light, G C G And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression, C G D G ' said "If you're gon na play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
[Chorus - Half time shuffle] G C G You got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em, C G D Know when to walk away And know when to run. G D G C G You never count your money When you're sittin' at the table; C G D G There'll be time enough for countin' When the dealin's done.
[Verse] A D A Every gambler knows that the secret to survivin' A E Is knownin' what to throw away and knowin' what to keep A E A D A 'Cause every hand's a winner, and every hand's a loser, D A E A And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep."
[Verse] A D A And when he finished speakin', he turned back toward the window, A E Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep, (drums stop) A E A D A And somewhere in the darkness, the gambler, he broke even, D A E A But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.
[Chorus - Drums back in] A D A You got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em, D A A E Know when to walk away And know when to run. A E A D A You never count your money When you're sittin' at the table; A D A E A There'll be time enough for countin' When the dealin's done.
[Chorus] A D A You got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em, D A A E Know when to walk away And know when to run. A E A D A You never count your money When you're sittin' at the table; A D A E A There'll be time enough for countin' When the dealin's done.
[Chorus - A Cappella] A D A You got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em, D A E Know when to walk away And know when to run. A E A D A You never count your money When you're sittin' at the table; A D A E A There'll be time enough for countin' When the dealin's done.
[BPM 110 - Intro - Original key Capo at 4 - BUT DONT BOTHER LIVE - start with drums] 2 bars - Am riff - hammer open notes onto Am to play riff
[Chorus] [Am] Jolene, Jo [C] lene, Jo [G] lene, Jo [Am] lene .. I'm [G] begging of you [Em] please don't take my [Am] man [Am] Jolene, Jo [C] lene, Jo [G] lene, Jo [Am] lene [G] Please don't take him [Em] just because you [Am] can (Please don't take him even though you can) [Am - vamp]
[Verse] Your [Am] beauty is be [C] yond compare with [G] flaming locks of [Am] auburn hair With [G] ivory skin and [Em] eyes of emerald [Am] green. [Am - vamp] Your [Am] smile is like a [C] breath of spring your [G] voice is soft like [Am] summer rain And [G] I can not com [Em] pete with you Jo [Am] lene. [Am - vamp] He [Am] talks about you [C] in his sleep and there's [G] nothing I can [Am] do to keep From [G] crying when he [Em] calls your name Jo [Am] lene [Am - vamp] Now [Am] I can easily [C] understand how [G] you could easily [Am] take my man .. But you [G] don't know what he [Em] means to me [Am] Jolene
[Chorus] [Am] Jolene, Jo [C] lene, Jo [G] lene, Jo [Am] lene .. I'm [G] begging of you [Em] please don't take my [Am] man [Am] Jolene, Jo [C] lene, Jo [G] lene, Jo [Am] lene [G] Please don't take him [Em] just because you [Am] can (Please don't take him even though you can)
[Verse] [Am] You can have your [C] choice of men but [G] I could never [Am] love again [G] He's the only [Em] one for me Jo [Am] lene [Am - vamp] I [Am] had to have this [C] talk with you, my [G] happiness de [Am] pends on you And what [G] ever you de [Em] cide to do Jo [Am] lene
[Chorus] [Am] Jolene, Jo [C] lene, Jo [G] lene, Jo [Am] lene .. I'm [G] begging of you [Em] please don't take my [Am] man [Am] Jolene, Jo [C] lene, Jo [G] lene, Jo [Am] lene [G] Please don't take him [Em] just because you [Am] can (Please don't take him even though you can)
