The Gambler
Whiskey Wisdom: Life's Gambles and Winning Hands
Lyrics
On a warm summer's eve
Setting the scene on a warm summer evening.
On a train bound for nowhere
Describing being on a train with an uncertain destination.
I met up with the gambler
Introduction of the gambler character.
We were both too tired to sleep
Both the narrator and the gambler are fatigued and unable to sleep.
So we took turns a-starin'
Sharing the experience of staring out the window into the darkness.
Out the window at the darkness
Continuation of the shared boredom.
The boredom overtook us,
The boredom becomes overwhelming.
And he began to speak
The gambler starts to talk.
He said, ""Son, I've made a life
The gambler claims to have built a life by reading people's expressions.
Out of readin' people's faces
Explaining the gambler's skill in interpreting people's faces.
Knowin' what the cards were
Further elaboration on reading cards through eye expressions.
By the way they held their eyes
Stressing the importance of understanding opponents in a card game.
So if you don't mind me sayin'
The gambler acknowledges the narrator's lack of advantage.
I can see you're out of aces
Pointing out the narrator's disadvantage in the game.
For a taste of your whiskey
The gambler proposes a trade for advice using the narrator's whiskey.
I'll give you some advice""
Offering advice in exchange for a taste of whiskey.
So I handed him my bottle
The narrator gives the gambler his bottle.
And he drank down my last swallow
The gambler consumes the last of the narrator's whiskey.
Then he bummed a cigarette
The gambler asks for a cigarette.
And asked me for a light
Requesting a light for the cigarette.
And the night got deathly quiet
The atmosphere becomes tense and quiet.
And his faced lost all expression
The gambler's face becomes expressionless.
He said, ""If you're gonna play the game, boy
The gambler imparts a crucial lesson about playing the game right.
You gotta learn to play it right
Emphasizing the importance of learning the rules of the game.
You've got to know when to hold 'em
Advice on knowing when to keep your cards in a game.
Know when to fold 'em
Emphasis on recognizing the right time to quit in a game.
Know when
The lyrics are incomplete, leaving the listener anticipating more advice.
Comment