A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Version 1 Version 2 Version 3 Version 4 Version 6 Version 7
The original is in the key of Eb with a key change up to E (i think the transition chord is an F chord)
I have come up with this version as a novice version that allows for a key change without the more difficult
barre chords. This version goes from key of Eb to F
CHORDS (Relative to Capo on 3rd fret)
C x32010
F 133211
G 320033
D xx0232
A x02220
[Verse 1]
C C F C
On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere,
F C C G
I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep.
C C F C
So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness
F C G C
'til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.
[Verse 2]
C C F C
He said, "Son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces,
F C C G
and knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.
C C F C
And if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces.
F C G C
For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice."
[Verse 3]
C C F C
So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow.
F C C G
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light.
C C F C
And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.
F C G C
Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
[Chorus]
C C F C
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
F C C G
know when to walk away and know when to run.
C C F C
You don't count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
F C G C C D D
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.
[Verse 4]
D D G D
Ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin'
G D D A
is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep.
D D G D
'Cause ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser,
G D A D
and the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep."
[Verse 5]
D D G D
And when he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window,
G D D A
crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.
D D G D
And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.
G D A D
But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.
[Chorus]
D D G D
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
G D D A
know when to walk away and know when to run.
D D G D
You don't count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
G D A D
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.