[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.
[Verse 1] E D All I can say is that my life is pretty plain A G E E7 I like watchin’ the puddles gather rain E D And all I can do is just pour some tea for two A G E E7 and speak my point of view but it’s not sane, It’s not sane
[Chorus] E D E D I just want someone to say to me oh, E D E D I’ll always be there when you wake yeah, E D E D Ya know I’d like to keep my cheeks dry today E D E D so stay with me and I’ll have it made
[Verse 2] E D And I don’t understand why I sleep all day A G E E7 And I start to complain that there’s no rain E D And all I can do is read a book to stay awake A G E It rips my life away, but it’s a great escape
escape, escape, escape
[Solo] E D E D (x2)
[Bridge] E D All I can say is that my life is pretty plain A ya don’t like my point of view G E ya think that I’m insane E Its not sane, it’s not sane
[Chorus] E D E D I just want someone to say to me oh, E D E D I’ll always be there when you wake yeah, E D E D Ya know I’d like to keep my cheeks dry today E D E D so stay with me and I’ll have it made
[Outro/Guitar Solo] E D E D E I'll have it made E I'll have it made E Oh oh oh oh E Oh oh oh oh