[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] [A] Used to spend my nights out in a barr [Bm] oom Liquor was the [Bm] only love I've [A] known [A] But you rescued me from reachin' for the bot [Bm] tom And brought me [Bm] back from being too far [A] gone ------ You're as
[CHORUS] [A] smooth as Tennessee whis [Bm] key You're as sweee [Bm] eet as strawberry [A] wine You're as [A] warm as a glass of bra [Bm] ndy And honey, I stay stoned on your [Bm] love all the [A] time
[VERSE] I [A] 've looked for love in all the same old [Bm] places Found the bottom [Bm] of a bottle was always [A] dry B [A] But when you poured out your heart I didn't waste [Bm] it ‘Cause there's nothing like your [Bm] love to get me [A] high, yeah You're as
[CHORUS] [A] smooth as Tennessee whis [Bm] key You're as sweee [Bm] eet as strawberry [A] wine You're as [A] warm as a glass of bra [Bm] ndy And honey, I stay stoned on your [Bm] love all the [A] time
[INSTRUMENTAL/SOLO] [A][Bm][Bm][A] x 2
[CHORUS] You're as [A] smooth as Tennessee whis [Bm] key You're as sweee [Bm] eet as strawberry [A] wine You're as [A] warm as a glass of bra [Bm] ndy And honey, I stay stoned on your [Bm] love all the [A] time
[OUTRO] You're as [A] smooth as Tennessee whis [Bm] key Tennessee whis [Bm] key Tennessee whisk [A] ey
