“The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers lyrics are an iconic country music song that explores the theme of navigating life’s unpredictabilities through the lens of a card game. It underscores the essential wisdom of knowing when to make a move or when to step back, much like taking calculated risks in life. The song encapsulates the enduring struggle between human will and chance, and offers valuable insight into the role of strategic thinking in overcoming luck. It implies that being a successful gambler, or successful in life, isn’t about beating luck, but about understanding and making calculated decisions based on the hand you’re dealt – essentially, turning the odds in your favor even in the face of uncertainty.
Kenny Rogers The Gambler Lyrics
Verse 1
On a warm summer’s evenin’
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
Verse 2
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”
Chorus
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
He said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy
You gotta learn to play it right
Chorus
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 dealin’s done
Verse
Now every gambler knows
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”
Chorus
So 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
Chorus
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 dealin’s done
Outro
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 dealin’s done
You got to know when to hold ’em
(When to hold ’em)
Know when to fold ’em
(When to fold ’em)
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 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