[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 BPM - 112 - Just bass drums] Sliding guitar part - underlying chords - E D G A B Quick horn figure prior to start E -----4----4---44s2--2-----2--------7-----7-------9-------11 B ----------------------------------------------------------- G -2s4---2--------------1s2-----4s7-----5-----7s9-----9s11--- D ----------------------------------------------------------- A ----------------------------------------------------------- E -----------------------------------------------------------
E ------0---------------------------------------------------- B --0h2---0-0h2---------------------------------------------- G ----------------------------------------------------------- D ----------------------------------------------------------- A ----------------------------------------------------------- E -----------------------------------------------------------
F --T---a-T-a (fingering - play fast Bs figure)
[Verse 1 - Full drums] Comin' [E] to ya [A][E] on a dusty road [A][E] [E] Good lovin' [A][E] I got a truck load [A][E] [E] And when you get it [A][E] you got something [A][E] [E] So don't worry [A][E] cause I'm coming
[Chorus - Dsus4 riff for horns, D to E slide second time] I'm a [E] soul man [D] I'm a [E] soul man [D] [Repeat x 1] [A to B riff - A5 x42xxx xx22xx B5]
[Verse 2] Got [E] what I got [A][E] the hard way [A][E] And I'll [E] make it better [A][E] each and every day [A][E] [E] So honey [A][E] don't you fret [A][E] 'Cause [E] you ain't seen [A][E] nothing yet [A][E]
[Chorus - Dsus4 riff for horns, D to E slide second time] I'm a [E] soul man [D] I'm a [E] soul man [D] [Repeat x 1] [A to B riff - A5 x42xxx xx22xx B5]
[Verse 3] Listen I was [E] brought up [A][E] on a side street [A][E] I [E] learned how to love [A][E] before I could eat [A][E] I was [E] educated [A][E] from good stock [A][E] When [E] I start lovin' [A][E] I just can't stop [A][E]
[Chorus - Dsus4 riff for horns, D to E slide second time - Play it Steve] I'm a [E] soul man [D] I'm a [E] soul man [D] [Repeat x 1] [A to B riff - A5 x42xxx xx22xx B5]
[Middle 8 / Key Change] Well [C] grab the rope and I'll [G] pull you in [A] Give you hope and [B] be your only boyfriend [C] Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
[Intro sliding riff again but up a semi tone - just bass drum]
[Chorus] I'm a [F] soul man [D#] X? fade (You're a soul man)
[End]
[Notes] [Verse] Chorus [chords] - E to [E] D [to] - [A] th [-] en [E] p [E] la [E] y [E] su [E] s [A] 4 [E] to [E] simulate horns - then slide D up to E to simulate guitar part [Riff] Comin [at] g t [end] o ya [-] , [A5] got [x42xxx] what i [xx22xx] got, i [B5] was brought up grab a roap C G A B C (play same time for each) - then play intro up 1 fret - F D# G# A# C - then F to Bb for rest of song