[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 - No drums - chug guitar and piano part - Piano suggests G Dsus4 Am7 and C] G D Am C G D Am C G D Am C G D Am C
[Verse - No drums] [G] Closing [D] time [Am] Open all the [C] doors and [G] let you out [D] into the [Am] world [C] [G] Closing [D] time [Am] Turn all of the lights [C] over [G] every boy and [D] every [Am] girl [C]
[G] Closing [D] time [Am] One last call for alco [C] hol so [G] finish your [D] whiskey or [Am] beer [C] [G] Closing [D] time [Am] You don't have to [C] go home but you [G] can't [D] stay [Am] here [C]
[Chorus - Full drums - Break up rhythm with chords] [G] I know [D] who I [Am] want to take me [C] home [G] I know [D] who I [Am] want to take me [C] home [G] I know [D] who I [Am] want to take me [C] home [G] Take me [D] home [Am][C]
[Verse - Light drums] [G] Closing [D] time [Am] Time for you to [C] go out to the [G] places you [D] will be [Am] from [C] [G] Closing [D] time [Am] This room won't be [C] open till your [G] brothers or your [D] sisters [Am] come [C]
So [G] gather up your jackets [D] move [Am] it to the exit [C] I [G] hope you have [D] found a [Am] friend [C] [G] Closing [D] time [Am] Every new be [C] ginning comes from [G] some other be [D] ginning's [Am] end... [C] yeah
[Chorus] [G] I know [D] who I [Am] want to take me [C] home [G] I know [D] who I [Am] want to take me [C] home [G] I know [D] who I [Am] want to take me [C] home [G] Take me [D] home [Am][C]
[Bridge - Hum melody into harmoniser] Bb Bb Ab Ab Eb Eb Cm Cm Bb Bb Ab Ab Eb Eb Cm Cm G D Am C G D Am C (phrase on C chords - A - 3 5 7 10 - play octaves)
[Solo] G D Am C (5 7 10 14) G D Am C (3 5 7 10) G D Am C (5 7 10 14) G D Am C
[G] Closing [D] time [Am] Time for you to [C] go out to the [G] places you [D] will be [Am] from (stop)
[Chorus - Full drums] [G] I know [D] who I [Am] want to take me [C] home [G] I know [D] who I [Am] want to take me [C] home [G] I know [D] who I [Am] want to take me [C] home [G] Take me [D] home [Am][C] (drum figure) (repeat)
[Instrumental] G D Am C G D Am C G D Am C G D Am C
(stop drums) [Outro] [G] Closing [D] time [Am] Every new be [C] ginning comes from [G] some other beg [D] ginning's [Am] end [C]
