Riverboat
Gambling with Fate: Tales from the Mississippi Riverboat
Lyrics
Well I spent the better part of my life on a Mississippi riverboat
Spent significant time on a Mississippi riverboat in life.
I used to be known from coast to coast as the slickest gambler afloat
Was once widely recognized as the smoothest gambler on the water.
I've dealt the cards from Minnesota to the harbor in New Orleans
Dealt cards from Minnesota to New Orleans harbor.
I made a lotta big money on the riverboat I loved a lotta pretty riverboat queens
Earned substantial money and loved numerous attractive riverboat queens.
Riverboat riverboat I love your whistle's wail
Expresses love for the riverboat's whistle.
I wish I was back on the riverboart stead of in the Memphis jail
Wishes to be back on the riverboat instead of being in jail in Memphis.
Oh a big man got on the riverboat our last time in St Paul
A wealthy man lost everything to the riverboat in St Paul.
He had a lotta money but his luck went bad and the riverboat won it all
Claims the narrator cheated, leading to a fatal confrontation.
He said I dealt from the bottom of the deck and he pulled a shiny knife
Accusation of cheating results in a threat with a knife.
But before that gambler lunged at me my 44 took his life
Narrator defends himself, using a firearm to save his life.
Riverboat riverboat...
Reiterates the love for the riverboat despite the recent violence.
Well they came on the boat and they took me to jail when we got to Tennessee
Arrested upon reaching Tennessee.
A gamblin' man has very few friends guess nobody cared for me
Highlights the isolation of a gambler in trouble, lacking support.
So I might be here for a many long years but if I ever get out
Speculates about a potentially long jail term and future plans.
I'm gonna head straight for that levee and get me
Expresses a determination to return to the riverboat upon release.
S riverboat headin' south
Intention to head south to find a riverboat at the levee.
Riverboat riverboat...
Reiterates the love for the riverboat and its distinctive features.
Stead of in the Memphis jail
Contrasts the desire to be on a riverboat with the current reality of being in jail in Memphis.
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