The Gambler
(Don Schlitz)

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
The boredom overtook us
And he began to speak

He said, "Son, I've made a life
Out of readin' people's faces
And knowin' what the cards were
By the way they held their eyes.
So if don't mind me sayin'
I can see your 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 he 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.

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.

Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin'
Is knowin' what to throw away
And 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."

And when he finished speakin'
He turned back toward the window
Crushed out his cigarette
And faded out to sleep
And somewhere in the darkness
The gambler he broke even
And in his final words
I found an ace that I could keep.

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....


Kenny Rogers: 1938-2020
Country Music Icon.

Also:
 seanblackthorne

Albert Uderzo: 1927-2020
Cartoonist, Co-Creator: "Asterix the Gaul"