The Gambler Songtext
von Daniel O’Donnell

On a warm summer′s evening
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
We were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns a-starin'
Out the window at the darkness
The boredom overtook us

He began to speak
He said, "Son, I′ve made a life
Out of readin' people's faces
Knowin′ what the cards were
By the way they held their eyes
So if you don′t mind my sayin'
I can see you′re out of aces
For a taste of your whiskey
I'll give you some advice"


So I handed him my bottle
He drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette, asked me for a light
And the night got deathly quiet
His face lost all expression
Said, "If you′re gonna play the game, boy
You gotta learn to play it right"

You've got to know when to hold ′em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin′ at the table
There′ll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin′s done

Every gambler knows
The secret to survivin'
Knowin′ what to throw away
Knowin' what to keep
′Cause every hand's a winner
And every hand's a loser
And the best that you can hope for
Is to die in your sleep


When he′d finished speakin′
He turned back toward the window
Crushed out his cigarette
Faded off to sleep
Somewhere in the darkness
The gambler he broke even
But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep

You've got to know when to hold ′em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
You never count your money
When you′re sittin' at the table
There′ll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done

You′ve got to know when to hold ′em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
You never count your money
When you′re sittin' at the table
There′ll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin′s done

You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold ′em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you′re sittin' at the table
There′ll be time enough for countin'
Oh, when the dealin′s done