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The Gambler

Words and Music by Don Schlitz - 1976

Kenny Roger's versiom was a No. 1 country hit in 1978

Intro:
C	-	F	C
-	-	-	G
C	-	F	C
F	C	G7	C
Verse:
C	-	F	C
-	-	-	G
C	-	F	C
F	C	G7	C
C	-	F	C
-	-	-	G
C	-	F	C
F	C	G7	C
Chorus:
C              F	C	F	C
F	C	-	G
C              F	C	F	C
-	-	G	C          (End)

8-beat intro.  Play 4-beats for each cell, reading from left to right.

_______

 

Intro:

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

 

Verse:

He said, "Son, I've made a life, Out of readin' people's faces,
And knowin' what their 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, And he drank down my last swallow,
Then he bummed a cigarette, And asked me for a light,
And the night got deathly quiet, And his face lost all expression,
Said, "If you're gonna play the game boy, You gotta learn to play it right."

 

Chorus

You 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 dealing's done.

_______

 

Performer Links:

(webpage)

 

Listen to an Unnamed Performer play "The Gambler" (mp3)

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Arranged by Jim Bottorff

 

This Chord Chart may not appear correctly with some browsers.  It should be viewed with a full size window.  

The chord names should appear in single rows.   Let me know of any problems.

email: jbott@ix.netcom.com