The Gambler  (KDM 158)  Chris Froggatt  (Kenny Rogers) 1978

OPENER

Circle Left
On a warm summers’ evening, on a train bound for nowhere
I met up with a gambler, we were both too tired to sleep

Walk around your Corner, See-Saw your Taw

Allemande your Corner, Weave around that Ring

He said: “Son I’ve made a life out of reading people’s faces”

Swing that girl and Promenade, walkin’ round you go

If you don’t mind me sayin’, I can see you’re out of aces

For a taste of your whiskey, I’ll give you some advice

FIGURE

Heads you Promenade, go Halfway round the ring now

Walk in, Pass the Ocean, Extend

Swing Thru the outside two, Boys Run Right

Just the Men Circulate, Chain down the Line you do

Square Thru count 2 hands, and then

Your corner Swing and Promenade you know

You never count your money, when you're sittin' at the table

There'll be time enough for countin', (when the dealing's done)

MIDDLE BREAK

Circle Left

Every gambler knows, the secret to survivin

Is knowin’ what to throw away, knowin’ what to keep

Walk around your Corner, See-Saw your Taw

Allemande your Corner, Weave around that Ring

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em

Swing that girl and Promenade, walkin’ round you go

You never count your money, when you're sittin' at the table

There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealing's done

CLOSER

4 Ladies Promenade, go once inside the ring now

Get back, Swing your man, everybody Swing

Join hands, Circle to the Left around that ring now

Allemande your Corner, Weave around that Ring

You 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 dealing's done

TAG

There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealing's done

ORIGINAL LYRICS

On a warm summer's eve
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,
And 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 me 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 faced lost all expression
He 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
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 off to sleep
And 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
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

 

You've got to know when to hold 'em (when to hold 'em)
Know when to fold 'em (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

 

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