I didn't want to do it but I got too lonelyI had to call you up in the middle of the nightI
I
On a warm summer's evening
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 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
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'd finished speakin'
He turned back toward the window
Crushed out his cigarette
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
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Don Schlitz
The Gambler lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Officer: Inmate 3765432 wants to walk in, Mr. scot. He says that it's an urgent situation, but he will only se you for it.
d.: That’s Johnson Smith-Jones. I’ll see him. Let him in, please.
Inmate: Mr. scot, I’m experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, muscle weakness, general malaise and an elevated temperature. I need medical assistance, please.
d.: Okay, but, first, can you help me move this file cabinet? It’s too heavy for me to move.
Inmate: Sure. I can move it myself. There’s no need for you to hurt yourself.
d.: And how long has the malaise been affecting you?
I.: I haven’t eaten any mayonnaise. I prefer mustard.
d.: How long have you not had any energy?
I.: Since Monday, about ten thirty, p.m., bui I didn't want them to call you in the middle of the night.
d.: Just as Monday Night Football ended, huh? How much did you lose on your bet?
I.: Well, it would have been nothing, if I hadn’t lost that game of chess to my book..I mean friend.
d.: Do you know how to play chess?
I: I read up on it. I would have won, if not for that trick move my… friend made.
d.L I was walking by your cell, going to lunch while y’all were playing. The swapping of the rook and the king is a common move, if the player sees that his king will be better protected in the corner of the board, and not the middle. It's not a trick move, and it's called castleing.
I.: That messed up my whole strategy, though.
d.: You need to study the game better, before you bet on it. Also, study injury reports before a game. I don’t bet on football, but Denver’s quarterback is out for the season. They didn’t hava a chance against Seattle. I assume you bet on the Broncos, since you lost.
I.: I did. They have the best defense, but they still lost.
d.: You need to remember tow things: don’t bet on anything that you can’t control, such as sports, and don’t bet in here, period. It’s against the rules.
I.: I’ll remember that next time, but, right now, my… friend’s goons are after me. Can I stay in the medical department tonight?
d.: I suppose so. I’ll tell the charge nurse on the night shift that you need to be kept under observation for the night. Tell her you had chest pain, but it comes and goes. That way, when they try to kick you out, just complain of chest pain. They’ll do an EKG, take some blood…
I.: I hate needles!
d.: Would you rather get beaten up?
I.: I think the chest pains will return, right after you leave.
d.: Okay, fine. Just try to keep your nose clean until your family can restock your commissary account and you can pay back your…friend.
I.: Will do, Mr. scot. Thanks again.
d.: I think that Gambler’s Anonymous comes in here on Wednesdays. Try to make the next meeting. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to be late for my poker game tonight if I don’t leave now.
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