[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.
[Looping - you have to grab the G to B to C during lord I can't change bit - so you can get the solo tone ready] [Intro] [G][D][Em][Em] [F][C][D][D] [G][D][Em][Em] [F][C][D][D]
[Verse 1] [G] If I [D] leave here to [Em] morrow [F] Would you [C] still remember [D] me? [G] For I must be [D] travelling [Em] on now [F] Cos there's too many [C] places I got to [D] see
[G] If I [D] stay here with [Em] you girl [F] Things just [C] couldn't be the [D] same [G] Cos I'm as [D] free as a [Em] bird now [F] And this [C] bird you cannot [D] change
[F] And this [C] bird you cannot [D] change [F] And this [C] bird you cannot [D] change [F] Lord [C] knows I can't [D] change
[Interlude] [G][D][Em][Em] - [F][C][D][D] x 2
[Verse 2] [G] Bye bye, [D] it's been a [Em] sweet love [F] Though this [C] feeling I can't [D] change [G] But please don't [D] take it so [Em] badly [F] Cos the Lord [C] knows I'm to [D] blame
[G] But if I [D] stay here with [Em] you girl [F] Things just [C] couldn't be the [D] same [G] Cos I'm as [D] free as a [Em] bird now [F] And this [C] bird you'll never [D] change, oh oh oh
[F] And this [C] bird you cannot [D] change [F] And this [C] bird you cannot [D] change [F] Lord [C] knows I can't [D] change [F] Lord [C] help me, I can't [D] change
[G][Bb] Lord, I [C] can't change Won't you [G] fly [Bb] high [C] free bird, yeah!
