The Gambler
View chords used in this chart
Afinação: E A D G B ETecla: DCapotraste: Sem capotraste
As recorded by Bobby Bare
(From the 1978 Album BARE)
[Intro]
D
[Verse 1]
D G D
On the warm summer's evening on a train bound for nowhere
A
I met up with a gambler we were both too tired to sleep
D G D
So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness
A D
Till boredom overtook us and he commenced to speak.
[Verse 2]
D G D
He said, "Son I made a life out of readin' people's faces
A
And knowin' what the cards were by the way they held their eyes
D G D
So if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces
G D A D
For a taste of your whiskey I would give you some advice."
[Verse 3]
D G D
So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow
A
Then he'd bummed a cigarette then he bummed a light
D G D
And the night got deathly quiet and his face lost all expression
G D A D
He said, "If you gonna play the game boy you gotta learn to play it right."
[Chorus]
D G D
"You, you gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
G D A
Know when to walk away, know when to run
D G D G D
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table
G D A D
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin' is done."
[Interlude]
G D A D
[Verse 4]
D G D
"Every gambler knows that the secret to survival
A
Is knowin' what to throw away and knowin' what to keep
D G D
'Cause every hand's a winner just like every hand's a loser
A D
And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep."
[Verse 5]
D G D
When he finished speaking he turned back toward the window
A
Crushed out his cigarette, faded off to sleep
D G D
Somewhere in the darkness the gambler he broke even
G D A D
In his final words I found an ace that I could keep.
[Chorus]
D G D
You, you gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
G D A
Know when to walk away, know when to run
D G D G D
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table
G D A D
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin' is done.
N.C.
You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
A
Know when to walk away, know when to run
D G D
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table
G D A D
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin' is done.
[Outro]
G D A D
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin' is done...
How to play The Gambler
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is E. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.