[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] (Power Chords) D slide to E quickly (x4) Riff - E 57 A 57
[Verse] Em D G D Em (G) Finished with my woman 'cause she couldn't help me with my mind Em D G D Em (G) People think I'm insane because I am frowning all the time
Em C D Em Em C D Em
Em D G D Em (G) All day long I think of things but nothing seems to satisfy Em D G D Em (G) Think I'll lose my mind if I don't find something to pacify
[Bridge] Em Can you help me D Em Occupy my brain D Oh yeah
[Riff] Em D G D Em (G) Em D G D Em (G)
[Verse] Em D G D Em (G) I need someone to show me the things in life that I can't find Em D G D Em (G) I can't see the things that make true happiness, I must be blind
[Solo] Em D G D Em (G) Em D G D Em (G) Em D G D Em (G) Em D G D Em (G)
[Riff] Em D G D Em (G) Em D G D Em (G)
[Verse] Em D G D Em (G) Make a joke and I will sigh and you will laugh and I will cry Em D G D Em (G) Happiness I cannot feel and love to me is so unreal
Em C D Em Em C D Em
Em D G D Em (G) And so as you hear these words telling you now of my state Em D G D Em (G) I tell you to enjoy life, I wish I could but it's too late
