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The GamblerKenny Rogers

Released: November 1, 1978

Songwriter: Don Schlitz

Producer: Larry Butler

[Verse 1]
On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere
I met up with a gambler, we were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns a-starin' out the window at the darkness
'Til boredom overtook us and he began to speak

[Verse 2]
He said, "Son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces
And knowin' what their 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"

[Verse 3]
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"

[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 dealing's done

[Verse 4]
Every gambler knows that the secret to survivin'
Is knowin' what to throw away and knowing 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

[Verse 5]
And when he finished speakin'
He turned back towards 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 dealing's done

[Outro]
You 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 dealing'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 dealing's done

Kenny Rogers

Kenneth Ray Rogers was born August 21, 1938 in Houston, TX, the 4th of 8 children. He has been married five times and is the father of five childre n. His first wife was Janice Gordon. They were married for 1958-1960 and had one child. Second wife was Jean Rogers from 1960-1963. Third was Margo Anderson from 1964-1976. This marriage resulted in one child. Kenny was married to Marianne Gordon from 1977-1993 and they had one son together. His current, and fifth wife, is Wanda Miller. They have a set of twin boys. His five children are Kenny Jr., Carole, Christopher Cody, Justin Charles and Jordan Edward.

Besides vocals, Kenny plays guitar, bass guitar, harmonica and the fiddle. He lists singer-songwriter, actor, record producer, entrepreneur and author as his occupation.

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