[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.
[Intro - BPM 105 - Double vocals - 3 part harmony on second vocal] Just bass drum E ------------------------------------------ B ------------------------------------------ G ------------------------------------------ D ------------------3-5-7-5----------------- A -5---------2-3-4-5--------2-3-4----------- E ---1-3-5-3--------------------------------
Just bass drum Dm7 G7 Dm7 G7 E -5!5!--------3!3!--------5----------3----- B -6-6-8!-6!---3-3-6!3!----6-------6!-3----- G -5-5-----5!--4-4-----5!--7!-5!-7!---4----- D -7-7---------3-3---------7----------3----- A -5-5---------5-5---------5----------5----- E -x-----------3-3---------x----------3----- Dr B S S S
Then full drums for this part Dm7 G7 Dm7 G7 E -5-------3-------5-------3---------------- B -6-------3-------6-------3---------------- G -5-------4-------5-------4---------------- D -7-------3-------7-3*5-7-5----------------- A -5-------5-2-3-4-5-------5-2-3-4------- E ---1-3-5-3---------------3---------------- * - mute lower strings by playing as an octave
[Dm7][G7] x4
[Verse 1] [Dm7] Looking back on [G7] when I, [Dm7] was a little [G7] nappy headed [Dm7] boy. [G7][Dm7][G7] [Dm7] Then my only [G7] worry, [Dm7] was for Christmas; [G7] what would be my [Dm7] toy. [G7][Dm7][G7]
[Bridge 1] [A7] Even though we [B7] sometimes [Em7] would not get a [Gm6-355353] thing; [A7] We were happy [B7] with the [Em7] joy the day would [A7#5-5x566x] bring.
[Verse 2] [Dm7] Sneaking out the [G7] back door, To [Dm7] hang out with those [G7] hoodlum friends of [Dm7] mine. [G7][Dm7][G7] [Dm7] Greeted at the [G7] back door, With; "boy, I [Dm7] thought I told you [G7] not to go out- [Dm7] side?" [G7][Dm7][G7]
[Bridge 2] [A7] Tryin' your best to [B7] bring the [Em7] water to you [Gm6] eyes. [A7] Thinkin' it might [B7] stop her, from [Em7] whoopin' your be- [A7#5] hind.
[Chorus 1] I wish those [Dm7] days, [G7] could, [Dm7] come back once [G7] more, Why did those [Dm7] days, [G7] e [Dm7] ver have to [G7] go?
I wish those [Dm7] days, [G7] could, [Dm7] come back once [G7] more, Why did those [Dm7] days, [G7] e - [Dm7] ver have to [G7] go? 'Cos I love them [Dm7] so.
[Break - Just bass drum] [Dm7] Do do do do, do [Dm7] do do do, do do do do. [Dm7] Do do do do, do [Dm7] do do do, do do do do.
[Verse 3] [Dm7] Brother says he's [G7] tellin', [Dm7] 'Bout you playing [G7] doctor with that [Dm7] girl. [G7][Dm7][G7] [Dm7] Just don't tell; I'll [G7] give you, [Dm7] Anything you [G7] want in this whole wide [Dm7] world. [G7][Dm7][G7]
[Bridge 3] [A7] Mama gives you [B7] money, [Em7] for Sunday [Gm6] school, [A7] You trade yours for [B7] candy, [Em7] after church is [A7#5] through.
[Verse 4] [Dm7] Smokin' ciga- [G7] rettes and, And [Dm7] writing something [G7] nasty on the [Dm7] wall, [G7] (you nasty [Dm7] boy!) [G7] [Dm7] Teacher sends you [G7] to the [Dm7] principals of [G7] fice down the [Dm7] hall. [G7]
[Bridge 4] [A7] You grow up and [B7] learn that, [Em7] kinda thing ain't [Gm6] right. [A7] But while you were [B7] doin' it; it [Em7] sure felt outta [A7#5] sight.
[Chorus 2] I wish those [Dm7] days, [G7] could, [Dm7] come back once [G7] more, Why did those [Dm7] days, [G7] e - [Dm7] ver have to [G7] go?
I wish those [Dm7] days, [G7] could, [Dm7] come back once [G7] more, Why did those [Dm7] days, [G7] e - [Dm7] ver have to [G7] go?
I wish those [Dm7] days, [G7] could, [Dm7] come back once [G7] more, Why did those [Dm7] days, [G7] e - [Dm7] ver have to [G7] go?
I wish those [Dm7] days, [G7] could, [Dm7] come back once [G7] more, Why did those [Dm7] days, [G7] e [Dm7] ver have to [G7] go? 'Cos I love them so [Dm7]